According to reports, Chelsea have received a huge boost in the race for Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes after Lille owner Gerard Lopez confirmed the Brazilian will make a decision on his future next week amid interest from Chelsea.
Speaking to BBC World Service’s World Football, Lille owner Gerard Lopez spoke about Gabriel Magalhaes’ future and said: “The way we work is very simple.
“We explain to him and his environment, his agent, what we are looking for, and once we get those offers the choice is his, like we did with Nico [Pepe] and Victor [Oshimen].
“We are there now, so we told him: ‘Eventually you have to make a decision but we’re not pressing you.’ I think he will make it this week, or next week at the latest. He is leaving, we’ve given the OK for that.
“There’s a lot of competition. He’s a young player so he’s got to make sure he makes the right decision. We help him out a little bit so we tell him: ‘We think this might be the right manager or club for you. He’s got so much talent, he will succeed wherever he goes.”
Manchester United, Napoli, Everton and Arsenal are also interested in signing the player.