Portuguese giants Benfica want to secure a permanent transfer for Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva, report Diario AS.
The central midfielder has spent four years out on loan from Los Blancos and last month media outlet UOL Esporte, in his native Brazil, reported Madrid were keen to offload the player permanently despite their still being 12 months to run on his contract.
Silva has the last three seasons on loan at former club Cruzeiro, following a season-long loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille, after a single season as a bit part player under Carlo Ancelotti in 2014-15.
A number of clubs including Atalanta, Espanyol, Sevilla, Tigres and Club America have previously been linked with a summer move this year.
However, the Lisbon-based club have now emerged as favourites for a player who overcame a heart condition which was diagnosed in 2016.
The former Brazilian Under-23 international was signed by Ancelotti in January 2015 in an estimated €14m deal after catching the eye with Cruzeiro – however his career in Spain never took off, with just eight La Liga appearances in five seasons.
