Arsenal Transfer News: Lucas Silva Blow, Krystian Bielik Deal Close

Cruzeiro's Lucas Silva looks to be edging ever closer to a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, a blow for Arsenal who have long been linked with the talented defensive midfielder.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti recently admitted that they were scouting the youngster, with a potential January bid in the offing, per Jack Bezants of the Mail Online.

The 21-year-old Silva has reportedly been on Arsenal's radar as they look for a deep-lying midfielder to protect their weak back four, per the Press Association (via the Daily Mail), but the Brazilian seems to be set on a move to Madrid.

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He recently said that a move to the Bernabeu would be a dream and expressed his pleasure at being linked with Los Blancos, per Bruce Archer of the Daily Star:

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I was happy with the news and also very surprised [at Ancelotti's comments]. At the moment it is just speculation, it would be important to my family because we are inside Goias, a small town where I started playing I was being known and my family too. It would be the realisation of dreams, comfort for all and perhaps already time to return the favour.

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Arsenal are in serious need of a holding midfielder to provide strength in front of the defence and interrupt opposition attacks while also releasing players from deep.

The current options of Mikel Arteta—currently injured—and Mathieu Flamini are not really making the grade, and although Silva is young, he is a fine prospect, per football writer Sergi Dominguez:

Silva recently won the Brazilian league with Cruzeiro, and he was named in the team of the season for the division. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could no doubt turn him into a world-class player, but Madrid seems the more likely destination for Silva.

However, another young defensive midfield talent reportedly on Arsenal's radar could potentially be set to make the move to the Emirates, with Nick Lustig of the Daily Star reporting a deal for Legia Warsaw's Krystian Bielik is close to completion. 

The 16-year-old has already broken his way into the first team at his Polish club and is drawing comparisons with Gunners legend Patrick Vieira, per Archer again.

Everton are also interested in the teenager, per Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, but no doubt Wenger will be eager to work with such a talented youngster, given his history of developing youth.

While Bielik is undoubtedly a fine prospect, if Arsenal were to sign him, he is still much too young to fill the defensive midfield position in the first team on anything like a regular basis.

Wenger needs to bring in a proven player in the position in January—such as long-term target Sami Khedira—or else Arsenal may struggle to make the Premier League's top four come the season's end.