Lucas Silva Moves To Real For €14m

While the toing and froing of the various documents concerning the deal between the two clubs went on, Marcio Rodrigues, Cruzeiro's vice-president, admitted that he had finally thrown in the towel and accepted the situation: "The deal has been done; there's nothing that we can do".

He's right. Finally, Real have managed to sign the player, despite Cruzeiro's attempts to the contrary. The Brazilian club's directors did all in their power to prevent their promising midfielder from leaving them. Real Madrid tried to buy the player on three occasions (August and December last year and now) and were always met with difficulties. Cruzeiro's answer was always the same: €15 million of forget it. Real first offered €10 million plus €2 million for objectives met but were turned down flat. Finally, the price has been set at €14 million to be given in two separate payments, according to the magazine 'Placar'.

The player will undergo the customary medical tests on Monday in Madrid at the Clínica Sanitas. After that, Lucas will be officially presented at the Bernabéu. The new Real player has signed for six and a half seasons.

It is not as yet clear if the newbie will be posing with a shirt with his usual number 16 on the back. Fate would have it that this number is the same as the young Martin Ødegaard wears.