Arsenal line up €15m for Cruzeiro's Lucas Silva

Arsenal are lining up a €15m offer to land the signature Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva.

According to Spanish daily Marca, Arsene Wenger has gone one step further than other potential suitors Real Madrid and Manchester United by sending scouts out to Brazil to make first contact with the player.

“In doing so, Wenger looks set to be Real Madrid's main competitor for the 21-year-old's signature, a player who has just won the Brasileirão league title and looks ready for a new challenge in Europe,” says the report.

“Arsenal, whose midfield has been ravaged by injuries, is studying the viability of signing the Brazilian. The Gunners are prepared to meet Cruzeiro's asking price of €15m, although Lucas would prefer to join Real Madrid.”