Everton missed out on one of the Premier League’s best for £23m in 2020, imagine him and Jarrad Branthwaite

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Everton have formed one of the Premier League’s most formidable defences despite their struggles over recent years.

David Moyes’ return to Merseyside has steadied the ship with the Toffees pulling clear of the relegation zone.

A big issue under Sean Dyche was Everton’s ability to find the back of the net, with the Blues having already formed a solid backline.

Changes have been made by the 61-year-old with Jake O’Brien being handed an opportunity under Moyes at right-back.

However, there is one Premier League defender who has been hailed as one of the best after Everton showed interest in signing him a number of years ago.

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Everton missed out on signing Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes

According to Sky Sports, back in 2020, Everton showed a real interest in Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.

Since that interest, the Brazilian defender has made a move to the Premier League, but he has signed for Arsenal.

After signing for the French side for just £1.5m, Gabriel made the move to north London in 2020 for a fee in the region of £23m.

James Tarkowski scored a stunning goal against Liverpool just the other week, but Gabriel is one of the Premier League’s most prolific centre-backs.

Across all competitions this season, Gabriel has been able to return five goals across all competitions.

To put that into context, Gabriel has netted more goals than Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison across all competitions, as well as a number of other strikers.

Gabriel has established himself as one of the top Premier League defenders in recent years and he’s a player the Toffees will be gutted they missed out on.

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Gabriel could have been a perfect Jarrad Branthwaite partner

Jarrad Branthwaite has been highly praised this season after returning to the side earlier in the season after his injury issues.

Tarkowski has proven a consistent member in the Everton side with over 100 consecutive appearances for the Toffees.

However, Gabriel is a defender of the highest quality having formed a sensational partnership alongside William Saliba.

“Gabriel’s on the front foot, more of a Martin Keown type. [He’s an] aggressive-type player. They complement each other so well,” said Rio Ferdinand.

Considering the partnership he has formed at Arsenal, Everton fans may feel they have missed out on what could have been with Gabriel and Branthwaite in defence.