It is not long ago that Liverpool were accused of tapping up Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, by Southampton, who claimed that the player was approached illegally.
And it did not take too long for clubs all around Europe to step up and take this route to keep the their players at the club amid interests from the bigger clubs in Europe.
Spanish giants Barcelona could be the next team to suffer this fate as they could now be reported for the approach of a Brazilian youngster.
The Catalan giants have been looking to add some of the brightest players to their squad this summer and one player they have constantly been looking at it Santos midfielder Lucas Lima.
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With 92 appearances for the Brazilian side till date, Lima has nine goals to his name and has been a transfer target for the Spanish side for quite a while now.
And though reports constantly suggested that he could be a Barcelona player this summer, the 26-year old’s recent comments might land the Spanish giants into big trouble.
Attending a game of Poker alongside the likes of Neymar Jr, a Barcelona player currently, Lima revealed that he will be a Barcelona player in 2018 and this has reportedly angered the Santos hierarchy as they are not sure that they are ready to let him leave this summer.
According to reports from the AS, Santos are now ready to report that La Liga outfit for tapping up the 26-year old illegally.
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FIFA rules state that players are only free to speak to other clubs once they enter the final six months of their contract. But Lima has a contract till the final day of this year, making him free to talk to potential suitors, without the club’s knowledge, after the 1st of the next month.
However, the player has now announced that he will be a Barcelona player after the turn of the year, which means that Barcelona have approached him, before the club, which is illegal.
Lima’s move to the Camp Nou is all but done and dusted but Santos could effect this deal if they report the club to the football;s governing body.