Lucas Lima refutes reports of Barcelona offer: 'Santos is the priority'

Lucas Lima insists that reports indicating he has an agreement in place to join Barcelona are premature.

Reports indicated that the 26-year-old was set to join Barcelona in January once his contract with Brazilian side Santos expires later this year. Barca had also reportedly offered him a five-year contract worth €4 million-a-year.

Neymar is also said to have played a role in attempting to convince his compatriot to join Barca.

Although he's received offers from the Premier League and China, Lima claims that he has yet to hear from Barcelona.

"Even if it was true, I couldn't say so," he said in an interview with Globoesporte, as translated by ESPNFC's Samuel Marsden. "What I spoke to Neymar about (Barcelona) was just out of curiosity - I've had no offer from them. I want to make it clear that when I make my decision, Santos will be the first to know. Santos is the priority.

"There was an offer from Crystal Palace, a fortune on the table from China ... but I know that playing well for Santos will allow me to continue with the national team, something which is very important for me."

Lima could also, potentially, extend his career in Brazil after Santos reportedly offered him a three-year contract.

"Santos' proposal is very good, the president (Modesto Roma Junior) has made a great effort for me to stay," he said. "I'm going to talk to my family and give an answer to the club that gave me my chance.

"This will be my biggest contract. The financial side is important, but it is not the most important thing. I want to continue in the Brazilian national team and to win titles. I'll think about the money, of course, but it's not my first thought."