Madrid rule out Silva swoop

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out a January move for Lucas Silva, leaving Arsenal as frontrunners for the Brazilian's signature. The midfielder has openly expressed his delight at being linked with a move to the Galacticos, who were reportedly in talks with Cruzeiro for the highly-rated 21-year-old. Silva told Marca: "I really am surprised and happy at the same time [with] all the news that have come out in recent weeks. Let it be said that a club like Real Madrid loves you is an honour and a pleasure. "Sure, it would be a dream to play for Real Madrid, not hidden. For me it would be an honour to join that team, but this must first be agreement between the clubs. I can only hope." However, Madrid chief Perez has since ruled his side out of making any January signings, claiming only "extraordinary circumstances" would see the Spanish giants move for Silva. That news will have put the Gunners on high alert, with Cruzeiro asking just £13m for the playmaker's services, a cut-price bargain for a player tipped as one of the brightest prospects in world football.