Cruzeiro warn Lucas Silva that Madrid deal won’t be easy

Negotiations between Real Madrid and Cruzeiro for Lucas Silva were confirmed last Tuesday by the Brazilian club’s Director of Sport Alexandre Mattos, who will leave his post on 31 December. Mattos confirmed that there has been four conversations with Real Madrid’s General Director José Ángel Sánchez but no agreement has been reached because Madrid’s bids have been inferior to the 15 million euro price which Cruzeiro President Gilvan Tavares is holding out for.

That prompted Mattos to hold a meeting with Lucas Silva and his agent to tell him who valued he is at Cruzeiro and remind him of the exemplary treatment he has always received from the club. “Not one player feels dissatisfied in our team. I spoke with Lucas Silva and his agent for a good while. I looked him straight in the eyes and made him understand what this club is about and where he is. Cruzeiro is also one of the world’s great clubs,” Mattos told Brazilian daily, ‘O Tempo’.

Mattos warned the player that he will not be joining Real Madrid if the Cruzeiro’s economic pretensions aren’t met. Despite that meeting, Lucas Silva seems intent on achieving his dream to play in Europe, saying a few days ago: “I’ve been on the front covers of some of the big name newspapers in Spain. You never know how well known you are until you see that kind of reaction in the media. To play in Europe is every footballer’s dream and I’m no different in that regard”.

The player is in no doubt that 2014 has been his best year yet: he has cemented his reputation as a player, was part of the team that clinched the Brazilian league trophy and picked up for Silver Ball award for his position. “Yes, this year has been better than the last. I proved that I am capable of holding down a first choice place with Cruzeiro, I demonstrated my qualities, took part in the Copa Libertadores, put in some good performances in the league and won an award for being one of best players in the country,” he explained to ‘Globosporte’.

Madrid President Florentino Pérez announced that Lucas Silva would not be joining in the winter transfer window because his transfer is not a mater of urgency. The midfielder is focusing on Cruzeiro and the 2015 Copa Libertadores which gets underway in February. “The pressure on me is greater now but I am ready for whatever happens. I’m looking forward to the Copa Libertadores, which is a great advert for Cruzeiro.

“Next year I hope I can show again what I am capable of and give even more to the team. I want to be fully focused so that I can surprise people again. Technically I have a lot of improving to do and I also need to mature as a player. That’s why I am taking in all of the advice the veteran players give me; they tell me I should release the ball quicker and must recover my position quicker. Those are some of the aspects of my game which I need to look at and perfect,” he said.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1H1PTPJ

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