Bordeaux tried to land Gabriel during summer

Bordeaux approached Benfica in the summer transfer window with an interest in acquiring midfielder Gabriel from the club. Bordeaux who is managed now by former Benfica player Paulo Sousa wanted to see the midfielder in France this season but Benfica manager Bruno Lage was quick to put the brakes on any deal away from the Lisbon side. Negotiations did not even get to discussing dollars as Bruno Lage feels that Gabriel when healthy is an integral part of the Benfica squad. Gabriel who joined Benfica from Leganes in the summer of 2018 for €8M, had a slow start to his career with the Eagles under former manager Rui Vitoria.

It was not until Lage took over at the club that Gabriel would see regular action, appearing in 10 out of the clubs 11 games before a knee injury would knock him out for the season with 7 games remaining. Gabriel has been hit with the injury bug again this season and has not appeared in a league game after sustaining a collateral ligament injury in the season opening Super Cup against Sporting. The Luso/Brazilian midfielder though is inching closer to a return to the club and Bruno Lage will be counting on the 26 year old to take control of the clubs midfield, a role which he has excelled with at the club since Lage arrived.