According to reports from The Daily Star earlier this week, Premier League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all targeting Real Madrid starlet Lucas Silva.
The 22 year-old only signed for the ten-time European champions in January, arriving at the Bernabeu from Cruzeiro in a £9.7million deal.
Despite a flurry of promising performances under Carlo Ancelotti, however, it’s believed managerial successor Rafa Benitez has been left underwhelmed by the Brazil U21 and is now prepared to sell.
That’s according to The Daily Star, who claim Premier League threesome Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all competing to take the defensive midfielder off Real Madrid’s hands this summer.
They moot the Gunners as the front-runners, due to their limited physicality in central midfield and their interest in the 6 foot enforcer prior to his Madrid switch.
La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong, however, believes Silva could arrive in the Premier League on a loan deal rather than a permanent one.
He recently told Kicca; “It’s claimed Manchester United and Arsenal are in a race to sign Silva. Both Premier League giants are reportedly keen on the 22-year-old but I can’t imagine Real selling him as he only signed a five year contract in January.
“He may well join a Premier League club but only on a loan deal to give him some much-needed game time and match experience.”