Chelsea favourites to sign Brazilian centre-back

Chelsea are reportedly ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Everton in the race to sign Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille during the summer transfer window.

The Toffees have been in advanced negotiations with the French outfit for the centre-back but they have reportedly agreed on a £30m transfer package.

Still, the Ligue 1 side are awaiting counter-offers from other interested clubs and both Blues and Gunners are likely to match the transfer proposal made by the Toffees.

According to Le 10 Sport, the centre-back is open to making the switch to the Premier League and he also has the preference of playing in the Champions League with his new club.

At present, the Blues are in a good position to make the elite competition next term with the fourth spot in the league and that could give them the edge over their domestic rivals to sign the Brazilian.

Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori are presently the specialist centre-backs in the Blues squad. Tomori has been fancied to head out on loan next term.