Real Madrid Transfer News: Sami Khedira Discusses Exit, Fresh Lucas Lima Rumours

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has revealed that he left Real Madrid because he had fallen out of love with football at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The German World Cup winner joined the Serie A champions in the summer on a free transfer having started just three La Liga games for Los Blancos last season, per WhoScored.com.

He has now revealed that he was not enjoying life with Real Madrid for some time before his departure to Juventus, but he has rediscovered his zeal in Italy, per Spanish outlet Marca:

"

For more than a year I no longer felt the joy of playing football, but I knew that I would find the solution and I never gave up. 

By moving to Juventus I sought to put football back at the centre of everything. There are a lot of great things in my life but my greatest love is football. 

I've regained the feelings I had in the past. I'm in good shape and am brimming with confidence again. I'm on the right track to reach top form. The changes I made last year have paid off.

"

Juve have not made the best of starts to the new Serie A season, but they are slowly but surely moving back up the table following three wins in their last four matches.

Khedira has not been able to play every match, but the defensive midfielder has made a key impact when he has turned out, per Opta:

Meanwhile, Santos attacking midfielder Lucas Lima is reportedly eager to make a move to Italy but has yet to receive any offers from Serie A clubs.

The 25-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid recently after netting his first goal for Brazil against Argentina on Nov. 13, per Spanish outlet AS (h/t Football Espana).

Lima's agent, Edson Khodor, has suggested that Lima has received two offers, but neither of them are from Italy where he would be eager to move to, per Calciomercato (via Football Italia).

"Lucas is wanted by many clubs," said Khodor. "Are Roma and Milan tracking him? We know that there is interest in Italy, but at the moment we have received only two concrete proposals and they were not from Serie A. Lucas really likes Italy and clearly will only leave Santos when he is presented with a suitably enticing proposal."

Juve may be tempted to go in for Lima given his interest in moving to Serie A, as he is one of the most high-quality talents playing in Brazil.

He is a versatile and creative attacking force, and he could be an exciting addition to Massimiliano Allegri's side.