Everton have made a number of scouting checks on Lille defender Gabriel as they compile a wish list of potential reinforcements.

The 22-year-old, whose full name is Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães, has become a focus for the club’s recruitment team, although Leicester City and Arsenal have also been alerted to the 6ft 3in Brazilian’s strong performances.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Everton manager, bemoaned his side’s defensive lapses in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Arsenal and bolstering the backline will be one of the priorities in the summer with the Goodison Park club having failed to bring in signings in that area last year.

“There was a good performance going forward,” said the Italian. “We were good coming from the back, we had some good chances, but defensively