"There's a lot of competition. He's a young player so he's got to make sure he makes the right decision. We help him out a little bit so we tell him: 'We think this might be the right manager or club for you.'"
If you take the comments of Lille president Gerard Lopez at face-value then Everton would have every right to be hopeful about signing Gabriel Magalhaes.
But, then, Napoli, Arsenal and the others may feel the same about their club. Yet is Everton's case still the strongest?
If Gabriel is minded to listen to the advice of Lopez, then why wouldn't the Blues been feeling confident? The feeling, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, that the 22-year-old defender was keen on moving to Goodison.
There was talk of a preliminary medical and a trip to Finch Farm - though neither have been confirmed by the club - but the situation has been complicated and tied up in uncertainty ever since the Blues made it clear the coronavirus crisis meant they were no longer willing to meet the £30m asking price.
Negotiations would have to take place again and ever since, more and more clubs have been credited with interest in the player, who has, seemingly, been weighing up his options.
Lopez expects a decision by next week, at the latest. So will Gabriel choose Everton? Based on what the Lille president said, there should be every reason to feel he will.
Everton, of course, cannot match both Arsenal and Napoli in being able to offer European football next season. Domestic cup success secured a route for those clubs into the group stages of the Europa League.
But in terms of what other criteria Lopez set out, as what should be important to Gabriel, then they more than compete.
The Blues are trying to bring down the average age of their squad with key players, including, Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate, only 23.
Anthony Gordon, 19, will play a more prominent role next season, while Yerry Mina is only 25 too, for example. Gabriel, who turns 23 in December, will be judged not on his age but his ability and where that is concerned, Everton are placing plenty of trust in the process.
And what about the man who will be guiding him and coaching him? Mikel Arteta is an exciting young coach, considered by the Everton hierarchy in December, who has made an impact at Arsenal - and delivered silverware - already.
Gennaro Gattuso, too, steered Napoli to silverware last season and, like Arteta, winning his first trophy as a manager.
But neither has the proven track record of managing players, and bringing the best out of them, like Carlo Ancelotti has. The lack of European football to offer will give Gabriel, who impressed in the Champions League this season, food for thought but Everton are investing time, money and faith in young players and they have, at the helm, one of the greatest managers of a generation coaching the team.
Ancelotti, without talking specifically on this deal, was confident that a lack of European football would not impact on the players the Blues would be able to sign this summer, when asked during the re-start.
He will not offer any player guaranteed game-time but in being able to offer coaching experience and know-how, the other two coaches mentioned stand in his shadow.
Quite how Gabriel will decide on his next move is anyone's guess but based on the advice Lopez is offering him, Everton have to consider themselves strong contenders.
*Take our EFC transfer survey and let us know what you think the Blues need this summer HERE
