Lucas Leiva ahs played a pivotal role in the midfield for Liverpool over the last 10 years. He has been important to the side to a great extent and has established himself in the role of a defensive midfielder since he was brought into the club during the regime of Rafa Benitez from Brazilian club Gremio in 2007.
However, in the last few seasons, especially after the German coach Jurgen Klopp took over the charge at Anfield, the Brazilian has not seen much of the action and has been compelled to watch from the sidelines. This might have irked the possibility of the 30-year-old leaving the club in the summer, with a move back to his native country and old club Gremio on the cards.
The defensive midfielder has only one year left on his contract and might be offloaded in the next season to make way for younger talents in the team. He has been looking for the right opportunity to leave the team for a few seasons, and this is probably the summer when the Liverpool fans see the back of one of their longest serving players.
Reportedly, Gremio has also said that they have ample interest in bringing back the Brazilian midfielder to the team in the summer. However, their President has said that the negotiations are only in their infant levels and it will take a lot of discussion between the two parties to bring the ageing defensive midfielder back to the club.
The midfield enforcer has been subject to a transfer interests for many other clubs from the Premier League as well as Europe including the likes of Newcastle United and Turkish club Galatasaray.
Both the clubs are in dire need of a defensive midfielder, especially Newcastle United, who have made their way back into the Premier League after spending one season in the Championship and are looking to revamp their side to take on the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and defending champions Chelsea in the next season.
The Magpies also have Rafa Benitez as their head coach, who was the man in charge when Lucas joined Liverpool from Gremio and played a number of matches under the Spaniard. However, a move to any of the above mentioned clubs is subject to negotiations between them and Liverpool.
Gremio President Odorico Roman has said that they will be happy to see Lucas come back into their side. However, the terms should be suitable for both the sides. So is it time for Liverpool to let their longest serving player leave this summer?
