• Premier League

Chelsea 'closest' to Sao Paulo's Lucas

ESPN staff
May 23, 2012
Brazil midfielder Lucas Moura is high on Chelsea's wishlist, according to his club Sao Paulo's president © Getty Images
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Chelsea are currently leading the race to sign highly rated Brazil midfielder Lucas Moura, though Real Madrid are also among his admirers according to Sao Paulo president Juvenal Juvencio.

Lucas, 19, has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Brazilian football over the past 18 months and is being courted by a number of Europe's biggest clubs.

But Sao Paulo have yet to receive an acceptable bid for their starlet and have already rejected a £20.2 million approach from Inter Milan.

Juvencio insists he will not entertain anything but "an enormous offer" for Lucas, though he revealed Chelsea are closest to matching Sao Paulo's valuation.

"At the moment it is Chelsea that are the closest team to Lucas," Juvencio told FCINTER1908. "Inter made an offer of £20.2 million, but this was not considered sufficient by us.

"Real Madrid is one of these (interested clubs) - there has been contact with the president Florentino Perez, who admires the player.

"Lucas is a big player who will triumph in Europe, but Sao Paulo will only sell him for an enormous offer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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