Real Madrid Transfer News: Marco Reus Fails to Deny Rumours, Lucas Silva Latest

Marco Reus has egged on rumours he could be poised for a summer move after refusing to speculate on his Borussia Dortmund future, while Real Madrid's interest in Cruzeiro's Lucas Silva has been revived.

Speaking to German television network ARD (h/t the official Bundesliga website) during the Black and Yellows' winter training camp, Reus was quizzed on comments made by club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke regarding his future, responding:

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I think [CEO] Watzke was right when he said that what’s important for us at the moment is that we’re all fit, that I get back to full fitness and continue to work on my fitness. Right now it’s irrelevant who says what or when my contract is going to run out. The only thing that matters is the club. It’s not about the individuals, but that we collectively work together to get ourselves out of this situation. That’s what’s important. 

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A stipulation in the attacker's contract will see Reus' release clause drop to €25 million (£20 million) in June, and Carlo Ancelotti's side have been at the head of the queue for his services in recent months.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial (h/t 101GreatGoals) recently claimed that Reus had already agreed a five-year deal in Madrid, but his priorities remain fixed in Germany.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Manchester City are also mentioned as one of the clubs looking to lure the German international away from Signal Iduna Park, with his impending change in circumstances making him a very attractive target.

This week, Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond examined just how Manuel Pellegrini's team would handle the forward if they did somehow manage to win the race for his signature:

Real Madrid already have an abundance in attacking midfield talent who offer support to the strikers, with Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez sitting as the stars of their bunch.

Bundesliga writer Ryland James cites ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld in claiming there will be an announcement regarding Reus' future plans this March:

Meanwhile, Los Blancos have gone back in for the signing of Cruzeiro star Lucas Silva, a figure who was previously thought to be close on moving to Madrid only for his trail to go cold.

Silva's father Miguel Vieira spoke to Brazilian outlet Superesportes (h/t Alvaro de la Rosa of Spanish newspaper AS) and confirmed Real had revived their interest in his €15 million deal:

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Luiz Rocha (Lucas Silva’s agent) called me today and told me that negotiations with Real Madrid are back underway, but he didn’t give me any more details. I read that Real Madrid want to sell one of their midfielders and Lucas could be his replacement. That’s all I know. Hopefully the offer will come and God will indicate which path to choose.

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The turnaround has been sparked by reports that Athletic Bilbao are willing to shell out a cool figure of up to €25 million on Asier Illarramendi, who would make room for Silva in defensive midfield, per Pablo Polo of Marca.

Having guided Cruzeiro to domestic silverware in recent seasons, 21-year-old Silva is one of Brazil's hottest prospects, and AS even claims a medical has already taken place:

The swift shift in events would suggest that Illarramendi could be heading for the exit and Real will soon see another change in personnel, not to mention making some money from the switch themselves.

Silva is a young talent tipped for a future with the Brazil national side and could be a very useful acquisition as Real look to move on a player who has sat largely on the fringes since arriving in 2013.