Arsenal join the race for Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva…

He has only made eight appearances for Real Madrid since completing a £9.7m move from Cruzeiro in January, but Lucas Silva is already on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.

After being told he's surplus to requirements by Rafa Benitez following the arrival of Mateo Kovacic, the Brazilian holding midfielder has been linked to a host of top European clubs. As well as interest from Napoli and Marseille, Silva has emerged as a target for Arsenal, who are still short in defensive midfield despite Francis Coquelin's meteoric rise. Manchester United and Southampton have also scouted the 22-year-old, who helped Cruzeiro to back-to-back Brazilian title victories, but the Independent claim Arsenal are at the front of a growing queue. It's thought Silva will be allowed to leave for less than his original £9.7m fee, which could represent quite a bargain for the Gunners.