Liverpool transfer news: Lucas Leiva to join Inter Milan on loan in January
LUCAS LEIVA is heading to Inter on loan – because Joe Gomez is finally ready for a return to first team action at Liverpool.
The Reds are close to sealing a deal which would allow their long-serving Brazilian to spend the rest of the campaign in Milan.
The Brazilian holding midfielder has started just three Premier League games this season and made 11 appearances in all competitions under Jurgen Klopp.
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If the Italian side agree to pay Lucas’ wages in full, he will be allowed to leave after the home game against Sunderland next Monday.
Midfielder Lucas is Liverpool’s longest serving player, having joined for £5 million from Gremio in 2007.
Yet he has only had a bit-part role this season, starting just three Premier League games, as a makeshift centre back.
Jurgen Klopp has given the thumbs up to him joining Italian giants Inter, because he has been so impressed by teenager Gomez’ progress.
The 19-year-old defender was a £3.5 million signing from Charlton 18 months ago and earned rave reviews in his seven games at the start of last season.
But he severely damaged his cruciate on England Under 21 duty a week before Klopp arrived as manager last October.
And a subsequent Achilles injury on the eve of the current campaign means he has yet to appear under the German.
But he has made giant strides with his rehab and will be available for a first team recall next month – meaning Lucas can get his wish of regular football.
Lucas has been at Liverpool since 2007 but has had limited playing time under Klopp due to his expansive attacking style.
Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Kevin Stewart and Marko Grujic all capable of playing in his position, seeing him slide down the pecking order at Anfield.
He was played at centre-back for Liverpool's 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth earlier this month, drawing criticism from Kop legend Jamie Carragher.
Lucas, 29, is Inter’s preferred choice but are also keen on Marseille's Lassana Diarra, Chelsea's John Obi Mikel, Milan Badelj of Fiorentina and Luiz Gustavo of Wolfsburg if the deal falls through.
Inter are seventh in Serie A with their form having improved dramatically since Stefano Pioli took over from Frank de Boer at the beginning of November.
Liverpool sit in second place in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Chelsea and face mid-table Stoke City tonight at Anfield.