Lucas Veríssimo in action for Santos. (Getty Images)
According to a report from Brazilian outlet Futebol Interior, Crystal Palace, Lyon and Torino are all interested in signing Santos defender Lucas Verissimo.
The 23-year-old defender has emerged as an important player for Santos in recent times, and the Brazilian club are understood to be reluctant to lose him in the current transfer window. Santos would only sell Lucas Veríssimo for his release clause, which stands at €8m, adds the report.
Crystal Palace’s interest in Veríssimo suggests Roy Hodgson is eyeing defensive reinforcements after his side comfortably avoided relegation from the Premier League last term.
The Eagles conceded 53 goals in the 2018/19, which tells how disorganised and leaky their defence throughout the campaign was. There have been no additions so far for the south London outfit and given their defensive crisis, they need to do it fast.
Hodgson cannot rely on the central defensive pairing of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho next term, with the latter underperforming and struggling with injuries.
Martin Kelly and Scott Dann are decent to have as squad players but they don’t have the quality to start for Palace, week in and week out. Keeping that in mind, Hodgson must push for the signature of Lucas Veríssimo.
Veríssimo is one of the most promising defenders in South American football and has rightfully earned plaudits for the recent few campaigns at Santos.
Standing almost at 6ft 3in, the 23-year-old’s frame combined with the speed and agility makes the Brazilian a beast of a defender. He is excellent on the ball with the ability to initiate attacks from the back.
The Brazilian is tactically brilliant and his ball-playing abilities combined with his strength makes him a perfect modern-day centre-back. Not only his aggression and physical status makes him arguably the perfect fit for Crystal Palace, but more importantly for the Premier League.
To Read More Crystal Palace News, Click Here:- Latest Crystal Palace News
A good reader of the game at the back, Veríssimo is also a vocal leader who knows to lead from the front when the chips are down. His potential addition would give the Eagles a defensive general which they have lacked under Hodgson.
Crystal Palace needs defensive reinforcements that will help them improve and adding someone like Lucas Veríssimo will help their cause of a top-half finish next season.