Tiago Gabriel in action for Lecce
Tiago Gabriel in action for Lecce
The Blues have been linked with the central defender ahead of the January window.
A central defender is not exactly a priority, but the 21-year-old boasts plenty of potential, with the Toffees likely not wanting to miss out.
The race for the Lecce man is tough, with Everton not the only team tracking the young Portuguese ace.
That interest is hardly surprising given the reputation Gabriel is beginning to build in Italy, where his performances have attracted attention from several clubs.
But that reputation has been lingering for quite a while, with comments from 2025 revisited.
Why Everton target Tiago Gabriel has drawn comparisons to Ricardo Carvalho
Gabriel looks to be one of the better prospects at central defence on the market.
His potential has made him an attractive target for many clubs across England and in Serie A.
His performances have earned him plenty of praise over the years, but none quite as high as what he was compared to.
As relayed by A Bola back in 2025, his manager at Estrela da Amadora, Filipe Martins, claimed Gabriel was quite like legendary centre-back Ricardo Carvalho.
He stated: "I always thought Tiago reminded me of Ricardo Carvalho because of his calmness and playing style."
It is quite the praise, especially considering the career the Portuguese defender went on to have.
Carvalho ended his time as a footballer as a Champions League winner while also picking up seven top-flight league winner medals.
Including winning the Premier League with Chelsea.
Why Gabriel would suit the Premier League
The Premier League is quite a hectic league with many teams now looking to go on the front foot across matches.
Games can often turn into chaos, with little time to breathe on the ball as the opponent chases you down.
Gabriel's quality of his "calmness" could ultimately do him the world of good in the English top flight.
The ability to deal with that pressure can make any switch to the Premier League all the smoother.
Additionally, as per Sofascore, Gabriel is a duel-winning monster. He has won 75 per cent of his aerial duels, while winning 66 per cent of his ground duels.
It seems his physicality is already built for English football. So, let's wait and see if Everton make their move in the coming winter window, or even the summer.
And a partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite could be a future immovable force should the Toffees keep the Englishman.