Barcelona failed to cling either the La Liga title or the Champions League title in the previous season as they fell prey to an in-form Real Madrid side last season.
The Catalan giants have already replaced their previous manager Luis Enrique with Ernesto Valverde for the next season and are now in search of top class talents who can help them compete at the highest level and move back to their best next season.
This has seen them linked with some of the finest footballers on the planet and one name constantly doing in the rounds is Lucas Lima.
According to a few reports in Spain and Brazil, Lima has already signed a deal with Barcelona to join them in 2018 and he revealed the same in a Poker event he attended with Barcelona star Neymar Jr.
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A report form a national media outfit revealed that the player confirmed his transfer to Barcelona during a Poker event that he attended with fellow Brazilian star Neymar Jr.
However, all such reports were later squashed and Neymar has now come and out and spoke about the 26-year old in a recent interview.
Speaking for Globo Esporte (via Goal) at a charity auction for the Neymar Institute, the playmaker revealed that he would love Lima at the Camp Nou and that he will welcome him with open arms.
“He is a great friend in football and I am hoping that he comes to Barcelona.”
“I hope everything goes right. We would welcome him with open arms,” he added.
Neymar also spoke about the speculations surrounding Lima’s future but strayed away from revealing any of the details.
Image Credit: AS
There are lots of rumours out there. I’m just rooting for it to happen. If it were I who suggested him he would already be signed,” Neymar joked in comments reported by Lance.
However, this deal might not be all smooth for the Catalan giants, who could now be reported to the footballing authorities over an illegal approach for the player this summer.
Lima is out of a contract at the end of the year and can start talking to potential suitors after the 1st of July but if Barcelona have approached him directly already, they might be in trouble.
Do you think Lucas Lima will play for Barcelona next season?