A Real Madrid scout was present at Brazil’s World Cup 2018 qualification win over Peru with Lucas Lima the centre of attention, but it didn’t go to plan.
The Santos midfielder is considered one of the best players currently in South America and AS reports Junior Calafat was present in Salvador for the 3-0 Brazil victory.
Calafat is said to have met with ex-Madrid attacker Kaka before taking in the game, although he didn’t get to see much of Lima as he was only used as a late substitute for Douglas Costa.
But if Madrid decide to follow up their interest in the 25-year-old they may be able to exploit a good relationship with agent Wagner Ribeiro, who has hinted Lima will soon be sold to a European team.
Any transfer could be complicated, though, as Santos only own a small portion of Lima’s rights, the rest belonging to sports group Doyen, who have 80%, and a second group, Khoddor Soccer, who, like Santos, hold 10%.
Santos have turned down bids for Lima already and are said to want €60m to sell to a foreign club, a figure Madrid wouldn’t consider, and instead any interested party may wait until January 2018, when his contract will expire.
