Gabriel Magalhaes has confirmed just how close he came to joining Everton before signing on the dotted line for Arsenal instead.
The Brazilian joined the Gunners in September 2020 for a fee of around £27million but had already undertaken a medical with the Blues by then, before opting to stay half a season longer at French club Lille.
In an interview on Instagram with Colin Dicanot, which has been published by French outlet Le Petit Lilloi s, he reveals how far down the road a move to Goodison was.
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Gabriel said: "Lille are a great club, a club that sells a lot so I knew I had to show myself. In the winter of the 2019/20 season, before the league stopped, I was already meant to sign for Everton. I underwent my medical.
“But it didn’t get done. I had already envisioned myself leaving after that season. I spoke with Napoli, Everton once again, but I then chose Arsenal thanks to Nicolas Pépé, who sold the club well to me.”
The 24-year-old has made 24 appearances for The Gunners this season, weighing in with three goals.
He played against the Blues in Arsenal's Premier League fixture at Goodison on December 6 - a match Everton won 2-1.
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