Rafael Benitez hints at Lucas Silva exit

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has hinted that he could allow Lucas Silva to leave the Bernabeu this summer.

The 22-year-old joined the Spanish club from Cruzeiro in January and made nine appearances in the second half of the campaign.

Benitez has a lot of options in the the central midfield positions, however, and he has hinted that Silva's short-term future could lie elsewhere.

"It's true that there are lots of [midfielders] here, and I think Lucas Silva takes up a non-EU spot. Obviously, we have to make a decision," Benitez told reporters.

Silva, who played the second half of Real Madrid's pre-season friendly with Roma on Saturday, is reportedly a loan target for a number of European clubs.