Everton are confident they have won the race to sign Lille centre-back Gabriel in a deal worth £30m when the transfer window opens, claims The Guardian.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have been locked in talks with Lille for a number of weeks after earmking the Brazilian centre-back as a top transfer target.
Ancelotti has failed to find his preferred centre-back pairing since taking charge at Everton, rotating between the likes of Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina.
Everton are pressing ahead with a deal for Gabriel even with football in limbo and the 22-year-old is poised to become Ancelotti's first signing at the club.
After drifting in and out of the first-team picture last season, Gabriel has emerged as a regular for Lille this term in his second campaign for the club.
Previously a regular in the WhoScored U21 Team of the Weeks, Gabriel is now poised to land a high profile move to the Premier League where his reputation will soar.
Gabriel has a better aerial duel success rate (64.8%) and WhoScored rating (6.93) than any current Everton centre-back.
