During his pre-match press conference on Monday, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke publicly of his club’s interest in Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva. The Madrid boss attempted to bring calm to the media storm surrounding the imminent transfer of the Brazilian starlet to the Spanish capital by stating Real Madrid would decide of the 21-year-old’s future after the completion of the FIFA Club World Cup.
“We have an interest in signing Lucas Silva but he is not the only one we are scouting,” Ancelotti said prior to his side’s Champions League encounter with Ludogorets.
“After the Club World Cup we will decide if we have to make some signings in January.”
But hours after Ancelotti’s press conference, Cruzeiro’s director of communications confirmed that the Brasileiro league winners had rejected Real Madrid’s initial offer of 13 million euros (£10.2 million) for Lucas Silva.
It is widely understood that the Brazilian club have been asking for at least 15 million euros (£12 million) for the Brasileiro league’s defensive midfielder of the year.
Despite the initial offered being turned away, the belief is that the two clubs will reach an agreement for the player between now and Christmas. Luka Modric and James Rodriguez have been ruled out due to injury, and Real Madrid have already confirmed that the future of Sami Khedira lies away from the Spanish capitla
It was first believed that a deal would be finalized this week. But after failing to meet Cruzeiro’s asking price for the Brazilian midfielder, Real Madrid will now focus on their final Champions League group match against Ludogorets and then prepare for their trip to Morocco to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup – which starts on December 10th and ends of December 20th.
Since Cruzeiro’s final match on Sunday, a 2-1 win over Fluminense, Silva has spoken to the Spanish publication AS about his potential move to Real Madrid. The 21-year-old midfielder said it is his dream to join the La Liga giants and expressed how fortunate he would be to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I was happy with the news [of joining Real Madrid] but also very surprised,” Silva told the Spanish newspaper.
“It’s a sign that my work is valued not only here in Brazil but also abroad.”
“If it really happened, because at the moment it’s just speculation, it would be important for my family because they’re from Goias, a small town where I started my career.”
“It would be a realization of my dreams and comfort for my family. Perhaps it’s already time to return them the favor.”
“Since my childhood I’ve been following Cristiano’s matches from Manchester and now much more at Real Madrid. I never expected that one day I’d possibly play alongside him. It would be a dream.”
