Marseille, Manchester United and Arsenal in race to sign Real Madrid's Lucas Silva

Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva has been informed by Rafael Benitez that he is surplus to requirements at the club, which has alerted Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea from England, while French club Marseille have also shown interest in signing the midfielder.

According to Spanish daily AS, the Brazilian midfielder will be allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer following the Spanish capital club's acquisition of Matteo Kovacic from Inter Milan, and there is no shortage of suitors to take the midfielder on board.

The French club are said to be the closest to signing the Brazilian midfielder, with the Marca reporting that the Ligue 1 club are closing in on an agreement with the player. The report claimed that he will move to France on a season –long loan without an option to make it permanent, as Real want the midfielder to return to the club next season with some experience under his belt.

But the 22-year-old Brazil international is believed to be keen to assess all the offers on the table before making a move and according to the report there are clubs in the Premier League interested in signing the player.

Arsenal have been on the trail of the Brazilian ahead of his move to the Spanish capital and are once again interested in signing him. Arsene Wenger is looking out for top quality additions and Silva will be an able backup option for Francis Coquelin, who is currently the preferred choice in the defensive midfield role.

Meanwhile, Southampton are also on the market as Ronald Koeman is looking for a solution to cover the possible departure of Victor Wanyama, who, according to Sky Sports, wants a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

United, on the other hand, are well stocked in the midfield and could be a less attractive option for the Brazilian player, as Louis van Gaal already has Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrara and Marouane Fellaini, who can operate in the deep lying midfielder's role, which Silva prefers.