Arsenal rival Real Madrid for Lucas Silva signature

Arsenal, 7/2 with Coral to win a major trophy this season, are apparently set to join the race to sign 21-year-old Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva, with Spanish giants Real Madrid also keeping a close eye on the youngster.

The London side have a long history of snapping up great young talent, and Arsene Wenger could look to continue that tradition with the capture of another future star.

Starlet Silva made his professional debut in the Brazilian Serie A back in 2012, after a loan spell at Nacional-MG, and has since starred 44 times while bagging three goals. Although relatively inexperienced, he has already been part of two league winning squads in his short career.

Sought-after Silva featured for his country at both Under-20 and Under-23 level; his biggest achievement to date coming earlier this year, helping Brazil to claim the Toulon Tournament in a 5-2 victory over France in the final.

Despite a lack of experience at the top level, his strong presence in that defensive midfield role could be exactly what Arsenal have been missing in previous seasons. The Gunners also signed Gilberto Silva from Brazil, and early indications show that his younger namesake could be equally as successful.

A move for the talented prospect could come as early as January, with Wenger recently stating his transfer market intentions.

“I would like to remind you that to buy football players is not to go into a supermarket and just say: ‘I want to buy a right back or a centre back,’” he said.

“It’s to find the right quality. If you go out tomorrow, you will see that everybody looks for the same positions everywhere. It’s not as simple as it looks,” Wenger continued.

“In January, it is even more difficult because players are even less available than in June or July. But we will try to be creative and have one or two good ideas.”

Los Blancos have been keeping tabs on Silva as a replacement for the possibly departing Sami Khedira, but the Gunners (4/7 to finish in the top four) will hope to steal Silva’s signature in January.