Liverpool close in on Brazilian prodigy

• anhydrouscoppersulphate

  11 May 07, 23:02

  Liverpool close in on Brazilian prodigy
  
  Liverpool are on the verge of signing Brazil Under-20 captain Lucas Leiva.
  
  The 20-year-old midfielder had drawn the interest of a host of European clubs after some sparkling performances for Gremio in his homeland.
  
  But he is now set to link up with the Reds in the summer, much to the delight of manager Rafael Benitez.
  
  He told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: 'The deal with the player and his club is almost done and I am really pleased he is coming to us.
  
  'He is the captain of the Brazil Under-20 side and won the Golden Boot in his country last year, so we know he has quality and we also believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England.
  
  'He can play as a holding midfielder but he can also get from box to box and so I am looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool in the future.
  
  'A lot of clubs in England and Spain were asking about him but our scouting department has again been working really hard and it's good that he's coming to us.
  
  'He will arrive in the summer and then will start adapting to football in this country.
  
  'We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season.'
  
• allentyb

  11 May 07, 23:03

  why is it, rafa doesn't want to buy a proven player
  
  maybe he has been planning for youth
  
  what about the youth academy
• omgukilledkenny

  11 May 07, 23:06

  another midfielder
• lalaTearz

  11 May 07, 23:08

  benitez like to haf alot of players in 1 position...y not buying players where they haf no players....liverpool lack of wingers!!!
• CKeer

  11 May 07, 23:09

  I thot Brazil's Under-20 Captain is Arsenal's Denilson?
  
  Back to Topic:
  Hmm.. He'll be wasting his time at Liverpool. No offense but Benitez doesn't give youth any chance at all.
  
  Cheers.
  CK
• anhydrouscoppersulphate

  11 May 07, 23:11

  Lucas Leiva
  
  - captain of the Brazil Under 20 side
  - won the Golden Boot in his country last year
  - a fee believed to be in the region of £8million, after Benitez beat a number of top European clubs to his signature.
  - gunning for the Brazilian League's Player of the Year in 2006.
  
  looks like helluva talent
• allentyb

  11 May 07, 23:13

  we are going to be another inter continental team
  
  think arsenal?
  
  
• used

  12 May 07, 02:48

  another unknown and unproven player
• gigabyte14

  12 May 07, 03:13

  rafa wanna copy wenger
• zocoss

  12 May 07, 10:47

  Benítez closes on £6m Lucas, the golden-boot boy from Brazil
  
  Liverpool are on the verge of signing the Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva from Gremio for around £6m as Rafael Benítez continues to reshape his squad ahead of next season, with Anfield preparing to bid a final farewell to Robbie Fowler.
  
  Lucas, a Brazil under-20 international, has had a medical on Merseyside as negotiations are finalised with his club and representatives over terms. "He can play as a holding midfielder but he can also play box to box and score goals," said Benítez. "He's won the golden boot in Brazil last season and he will feature in the Under-20 world championships, so he's a fantastic midfielder, a complete player and will be good for our present and our future.
  
  
• club18

  12 May 07, 10:50

  oh gosh..
  6m is not cheap..
  hope he does well..