Lucas Lima is reportedly set to leave Santos at the end of the Brazilian season in December, amid interest from Manchester United and AC Milan
Italian outlet Calciomercato have reported that Lucas Lima is set to call time on his stint at Santos when his contract with the club comes to an end in December. Manchester United and AC Milan are interested in signing the Brazilian on a free transfer in the winter transfer window.
Lucas has spent his entire footballing career in Brazil, having made his senior debut with Inter de Limeira, before moving to Internacional. But, it is after joining Santos in 2014, when the player’s career took an upward trajectory that it has been on constantly since.
Lucas has been a consistent performer for the Brazilian giants over the last three years, while also establishing himself as a regular member of the Brazil National Side. This season, the 27-year-old has made 30 appearances across all competitions for Santos, with a goal and 11 assists to show for his efforts.
But, with his contract at the club set to expire in December, there have been increasing concerns surrounding his future. However, it has now emerged that Lucas is set to call it quits at Santos when his deal comes to an end, and a first foray into Europe may be on the cards.
#Santos to #CM: “#ACMilan want #LucasLima, his contract is expiring and he won’t renew” (@CalcioNews89 )https://t.co/FAYPbQ8UvC pic.twitter.com/Yz4eATJ6FP
— Calciomercatocom(En) (@CmdotCom_En) November 7, 2017
As per Santos’ representative Luiz Taveira, “Lucas Lima will leave in December, he doesn’t want to sign a contract extension, there is nothing more to say. We have already found his heir, his name is Rodrygo, he was born in 2001 and he has already made his senior debut.”
Manchester United and AC Milan are interested bringing Lucas to Europe in the winter transfer window, when he will be available as a free agent. The interest from Manchester United does come as a bit of a surprise, but the Red Devils have been monitoring the player’s situation for a long time.
At Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho has a plethora of attacking players at his disposal, with the likes of Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini all adept at playing centrally, where Lucas usually thrives.
But, the addition of the Brazil international will undoubtedly boost Manchester United’s creativity, something that could help Romelu Lukaku immensely up front. However, the Red Devils face stiff competition from AC Milan in his pursuit.
The Rossoneri have made a slow start to the 2017-18 campaign, despite spending heavily this past summer, when a gamut of players were signed to bolster just about every position in the squad. But, they are currently languishing in 7th in the table, 13 points adrift of league leaders Napoli.
Therefore, Lucas has emerged as a viable target for the club, as Vincenzo Montella bids to boost his creative options. It now remains to be seen if either club manages to land the Brazilian in January, or if another suitor emerges in a bid to sign him for free as he appears destined to run out his contract at Santos.
