Lucas Leiva close to Galatasaray switch

Galatasaray are close to sealing an agreement for Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. The Brazilian was in-and-out of the starting line-up under Jurgen Klopp last season.

Leiva is currently the Reds' longest-serving player having joined them from Gremio in the summer of 2007.

Turkish source Fanatik says the 29-year-old has decided to join Gala after the Reds failed to guarantee him regular playing time next season.

Gala are expected to pay a fee of around £2m for the player, who is currently recuperating from a hamstring problem.

Leiva was previously a target for Newcastle United before he ruled out the possibility of dropping down to the Championship.

The midfielder has notched over 300 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside giants. He has also earned 24 caps for Brazil with his last appearance coming against Zambia in 2013.