Gabriel Magalhaes: Manchester United advance interest in Lille defender despite Arsenal agreeing deal

Arsenal were on the verge of completing the signing of the centre-back only for United to recently renew their interest

Manchester United have advanced their interest in Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, just as it seemed as though Arsenal were on the brink of finally completing a deal for the Brazilian.

United renewed discussions with Magalhaes’ representatives on Thursday, despite the Brazilian having agreed a deal with Arsenal, and asked for the defender to delay his decision.

Arsenal and Napoli have both met Lille’s asking price of around £22.6m, rising to a potential £27m, with the French club’s owner, Gerard Lopez, stating yesterday that Magalhaes would make a decision imminently between the two clubs.

However, the late development of United’s interest has provoked a further delay in what has already become one of the longest-running sagas of the transfer window, despite Arsenal growing increasingly confident of securing the 22-year-old’s signature.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is known to be an admirer of Magalhaes, who has been a key figure for Lille this season, and United are in the market for a centre-back to compete with Victor Lindelof to start alongside Harry Maguire.

United also offer the prospect of Champions League football next season.

For now, it waits to be seen whether United’s interest will translate into an official bid, with Magalhaes still understood to be assessing his options.

Everton believed they had secured the defender’s signature back in March, with Magalhaes even undergoing a medical, before the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic put the deal on pause.

Napoli subsequently intensified their interest and made the Brazil U20 international their No 1 defensive target. However, the Italian club’s desire to sell Kalidou Koulibaly before paying for a replacement has held up the move, although they remain in the race.