Cruzeiro have announced that a deal to take Lucas Silva to Real Madrid is ‘complete’ and will be made official imminently.
The 21-year-old had long been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Brazilian side’s vice-president Marcio Rodrigues has now confirmed that a transfer is in the pipelines.
“The Lucas Silva [deal] is complete and the announcement of his departure should be made on Thursday,” he told ESPN Brasil.
“There comes a time when a player wants to leave and their agent presses for the high wages which European clubs offer.”
A deal worth €13m has been reportedly agreed for Silva, who is expected to land in Madrid on Sunday before being officially unveiled as a Blanco on either Monday or Tuesday.
However, the complicated nature of his ownership means a total of seven companies, including Cruzeiro, will each receive a cut of the transfer fee.
The defensive midfielder’s arrival could also pave the way for Asier Illarramendi‘s exit, with Ernesto Valverde recently confirming Athletic Bilbao‘s interest in the Basque.