Lucas Leiva hasn’t really played a great number of games this season for Liverpool. The Brazilian has featured as a centre-back in a few games but his place in the starting XI is long gone. The former Gremio man is now a target for Inter Milan according to the Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia)
The 29-year-old has always been a target for the Serie A club but the deal was never able to take place. The Brazilian has only played eight Premier League games this season and it is understood that Lucas does want to complete the move to Milan.
There is one major problem with the deal and that is the fact that Inter want a six-month loan spell for the 29-year-old. The Serie A club doesn’t want an option to buy and hope to bring in better talent next summer.
Jurgen Klopp had earlier stated that no player would be leaving from his first team squad and with Liverpool lacking quality cover for the defence, Lucas has been used as a stop-gap measure.
The 29-year-old does need to play regular football but that won’t be a guarantee at Inter either.
A bargaining tool for Gabriel Barbosa?
Lucas could, however, be used as a bargaining tool for the signing of Gabriel Barbosa. The Inter striker has had a poor season since signing for the Milan giants and has been told he can move on loan until the end of the season at least.
With Liverpool needing to bring in an attacker for the second half of the season, the 20-year-old is someone who is a target for the Reds. Barbosa does need playing time too and the Premier League could be the right move for him.
Looking at Lucas, the Brazilian probably is on his way out of the club as it is. The summer window would have meant that the 29-year-old would be moving to another side but moving to Italy should have been at the back of his mind.
Inter have been linked earlier for the midfielder, even during the little spell that Rafa Benitez had as manager of the Italian club.
The only reason why Liverpool should even think about letting Lucas go in the winter window is If they can get a quality player into the side. Barbosa could be the clincher for this deal to take place and it would be a win-win situation for both sides involved.
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