While rumours continue to swirl around the future of Liverpool midfielder Lucas, with the transfer window rapidly approaching, the Brazilian has moved to quash rumours that he’ll be making a dramatic return back to Brazilian side Gremio in January.
Ever since Reds boss Brendan Rodgers took over at Anfield, the 27-year has constantly looked to be on the way out of the club. Former boss Rafa Benitez has been the most consistently linked suitor with his Napoli side rumoured to be interested in a reuniting the pair at the Italian Super Cup winners. Although an official move, loan or otherwise, is yet to materialize, the Spaniard apparently has competition for the midfield warrior’s signature with Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini also staking a very public interest in the future of the veteran Liverpool midfielder.
Lucas is said to be eyeing a spot in Brazil coach Dunga’s squad for the upcoming Copa América in 2015 — something he’ll only get if he holds down more playing time for his club. In that case, if a move to Serie A doesn’t materialize, he’s apparently been mooting an offer to return to his homeland to play for Campeonato Brasileiro side Gremio — the team that the Reds signed him from back in the summer of 2007.
This, according to the player himself, isn’t the case. “Everyone knows that Napoli tried last summer, but now they are not showing interest,” the Reds midielder told Brazilian media outlet Show dos Esportes. “My future? I don’t know. The only thing I can say is that I won’t return to Grêmio.” With Liverpool reportedly eyeing a move for Lazio destroyer Ogenyi Onazi, a player keen on making the switch to Anfield, we’ll see if Lucas is still ruling out a move back to sunny Brazil by the end of January…
