A growing number of Lucas Silva's Cruzeiro teammates believe the Brazil under-21 midfielder is set to join Real Madrid.
Silva, 21, has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu in recent months, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma also reportedly interested.
Cruzeiro president Gilvan de Pinho Tavares insists his club will only talk to Real if the La Liga leaders meet the players's 15 million-euro asking price, though Silva's current teammates believe it is only a matter of time before a move is sealed.
"Being able to play for a team like Real Madrid is the dream of any player," AS quotes Mayke -- who has played alongside the midfielder for four years -- as saying. "We know he will go, but he still can't imagine it."
The striker Borges also praised the Brazilian youngster, saying he should be able to fit in to the Madrid squad well and that it is a case of when, and not if, the transfer becomes official.
"Lucas has it all to play for Madrid. We are waiting for it to happen as soon as possible," he said. "He is a midfielder who presses well, moves the ball well, has a lot of quality in passing the ball and is a good finisher."
Everton Ribeiro -- who plays alongside Silva in midfield with the Brazilian champions -- added: "Real Madrid is a great club and Lucas is a great player, they both fit well. Lucas has progressed a lot with Cruzeiro in these last two years and the time is now to go and grow in Europe."
Given Luka Modric's long-term injury and uncertainty regarding Sami Khedira's future, Real have been linked with a January move for a midfielder -- though Carlo Ancelotti says no new players will join during the winter transfer window.
Silva will play his final game of 2015 on Sunday as Cruzeiro take on Fluminese at the Mineirao, and reports in Brazil suggest that game could be his last for the club.