Real Madrid Transfer News: Lucas Silva Desperate for Cristiano Ronaldo Dream

Lucas Silva has spoken of his desire to don the famous white strip of Real Madrid and play alongside his boyhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The 21-year-old has developed magnificently at Cruzeiro over the past two seasons and been linked with a host of European football’s most illustrious names, including Los Blancos. And it seems the Spanish capital would be his preferred destination, for he’s admitted he’d be fulfiling a childhood dream if he got to play alongside Ronaldo, per AS (h/t Sky Sports):

"

Since I was small I've been following his games, from Manchester United and now much more at Real Madrid. He's making history.

I never imagined, never expected, that one day maybe something like this could happen, it would be a dream.

Since I was small I have imagined many things. I never expected this could happen so quickly but all the dreams and goals that I'm achieving are thanks to God, and to play in Spain is another dream.

"

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Indeed, the attraction of the Santiago Bernabeu is one that almost every young player on the planet would find difficult to repress. Silva is a midfielder, so he may find it difficult to break into the first team if he were to join, but with Luka Modric and James Rodriguez currently sidelined and the future of Sami Khedira uncertain, there could be a chance for the Brazilian to make an immediate impact.

Cruzeiro team-mate Everton Ribeiro—who seems resigned to him leaving—thinks that Los Blancos and Silva would be a wonderful match, per ESPN:

"

Real Madrid is a great club and Lucas is a great player, they both fit well. 

Lucas has progressed a lot with Cruzeiro in these last two years and the time is now to go and grow in Europe.

"

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It’ll certainly be a challenge for the young man should he eventually become a Real Madrid player. Carlo Ancelotti has a host of excellent midfield players at his disposal, and the pressure of playing for a giant of the game can make some young players crumble under the immense expectation and unwavering focus. 

But the midfielder emits an impression of a mature and level-headed player. When asked about Silva, the Italian manager confirmed the club’s interest but insisted they will wait a little longer before deciding on whether to pursue him, per Manu Sainz of AS:

"

I think we have to wait until after Christmas—by then the situation regarding Khedira and Modric will be clearer. After that we will make a decision. But Lucas Silva isn’t our only option—there are others.

"

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Stylistically, Silva is a player who sits at the base of the midfield and dictates the tempo from deep. He is a strong tackler, an astute reader of the game and athletic player, capable of getting about the pitch and surging forward with the ball. According to the Press Association via the Mail Online, he’s tried to model himself on Yaya Toure.

Here’s a closer look at the kind of qualities the Cruzeiro man could bring to Madrid’s central midfield:

Despite his tender years, he was named in Brazilian League's team of the year, as noted here by Brazilian football expert Jack Lang:

It’s important that Silva receives the requisite reassurances that he’s going to get minutes for Real Madrid. Not only will he be vying with the likes of Modric, Khedira, Toni Kroos and Isco for a starting spot but also with Asier Illarramendi, a young player who has been excellent during the European champions’ current bout of injuries.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

The gravitas of Real is understandable, and as Silva has alluded, a move there would be a dream come true for him.

But if it’s a transfer that’ll come at the cost of his development—and he’s by no means the finished article—the youngster needs to be very careful when it comes to making his decision, even if it means passing up the chance of playing alongside Ronaldo.