One of Liverpool's longest serving players has confirmed that he's due to hold contract talks with the Reds at the end of the season.
Over the last two years, Lucas Leiva has been constantly linked with transfers away, and in March, reports in Turkey claimed that the Brazilian had 'reached an agreement' to sign for Galatasaray this summer.
Lucas was linked with Galatasaray in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, and at the time, Galatasaray official Levent Nazifoglu noted:
"We've spoken personally with Lucas Leiva. He asked for one more day. The situation will be clearer by tonight".
When asked over the weekend about his future, Lucas reiterated his 'commitment to Liverpool', and hinted at renewing his contract:
"I just need to wait until the end of the season, work hard and make a decision together with the club".
Lucas also warned that 'playing time' will be a decisive factor, and insisted that he doesn't want to just sit on the bench when he still has 'many years' of top flight football ahead of him:
"I have been here long enough, and if the time comes for me to go somewhere else, I will leave with the feeling that I did everything I could".
If playing time is a key factor, then Lucas clearly has a big decision to make as game time keeps declining with each passing season:
* 2014-5: Average 71 mins per game
* 2015-16: Averaged 70 mins per game
* 2016-17: Averaged 56 mins per game.
Liverpool will probably strengthen in midfield and defence this summer, which may reduce Lucas's playing time even more, so it's probably in his best interests to leave.
^ Jul 2016: Reportedly on £80k-a-week. Sep 2016: Hailed as an 'unbelievable player' by Cameron Brannagan'
Over the last two years, Lucas Leiva has been constantly linked with transfers away, and in March, reports in Turkey claimed that the Brazilian had 'reached an agreement' to sign for Galatasaray this summer.
Lucas was linked with Galatasaray in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, and at the time, Galatasaray official Levent Nazifoglu noted:
"We've spoken personally with Lucas Leiva. He asked for one more day. The situation will be clearer by tonight".
When asked over the weekend about his future, Lucas reiterated his 'commitment to Liverpool', and hinted at renewing his contract:
"I just need to wait until the end of the season, work hard and make a decision together with the club".
Lucas also warned that 'playing time' will be a decisive factor, and insisted that he doesn't want to just sit on the bench when he still has 'many years' of top flight football ahead of him:
"I have been here long enough, and if the time comes for me to go somewhere else, I will leave with the feeling that I did everything I could".
If playing time is a key factor, then Lucas clearly has a big decision to make as game time keeps declining with each passing season:
* 2014-5: Average 71 mins per game
* 2015-16: Averaged 70 mins per game
* 2016-17: Averaged 56 mins per game.
Liverpool will probably strengthen in midfield and defence this summer, which may reduce Lucas's playing time even more, so it's probably in his best interests to leave.
^ Jul 2016: Reportedly on £80k-a-week. Sep 2016: Hailed as an 'unbelievable player' by Cameron Brannagan'
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