REAL MADRID are lining up big-money bids for Santos duo Lucas Lima and Gabriel
‘Gabigol’ Barbosa, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane is expected to be handed the Bernabeu gig on a permanent basis
this summer and wants to bolster his star-studded squad with some major
reinforcements.
The Frenchman has guided Real to their second Champions League final in three
years after taking over from Rafa Benitez in January, and is also still in
the running to beat Barcelona to the La Liga title.
Galacticos including James Rodriguez, Isco and Jese have all been linked with
exits from the capital, and Spanish daily AS claims that Lima and
Gabigol are at the top of Zidane’s wishlist.
Lima is a skilful central midfielder who has won eight caps for Brazil’s
national side, while Gabigol is a versatile forward who has been likened to
Barcelona ace Neymar.
Real scouts have been to watch the pair in Santos’ last three games and have
delivered glowing reports to Zidane.
But although no official approaches have been made, summer bids are looking
likely after Lima and Gabigol’s agent Wagner Ribeiro confirmed Real’s
interest.
He told UOL Esporte: “Of course Lucas Lima is now a well-known player
in the world. Real Madrid haven’t made a written proposal but their scouts
are following Lima and Gabigol.
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“Watching games, here at the Vila Belmiro, today and last weeks. Scouts,
professionals in the technical part and the coaching staff, they have been
following the games and note everything.
“They were here now [on Sunday], they were here last week and they saw against
Palmeiras too. Now it begins, it is a study. Proposals should come in July
when the market opens. I’d say they [Real] are following, but there is no
official proposal.”