Real Madrid are plotting a January swoop for highly rated Brazilian defender Mario Fernandes.

 

Sources in Spain have revealed that Los Blancos are looking at the 21-year-old, who currently turns out for Gremio, very closely.

 

Fernandes is capable of playing in the centre of defence and at right back and in some quarters has been dubbed the "new Lucio".

 

And it is at right back where Fernandes would most likely be deployed if Real Madrid were successful in persuading Gremio to sell their starlet.

 

Jose Mourinho has taken to playing Sergio Ramos as a centre back and has been impressed with the Spaniard’s form in that position.

 

Thus, signing Fernandes would free up Ramos to sit in the centre of Real Madrid’s defence permanently.

 

The Brazilian is rated at around the €12M mark.

 

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