Rio de Janeiro, Dec 18 (IANS) Santos have begun talks aimed at renewing the contract of Brazil international midfielder Lucas Lima, according to the club's president.
Lima's current deal with Santos expires at the end of 2017 and his agent claimed during the week that the 26-year-old was close to joining an unnamed Chinese club, reports Xinhua news agency.
But Santos President Modesta Roma said he was confident of keeping Lima after meeting with businessman Edson Khodor, who owns 10 percent of the player's economic rights.
"We talked about a renewal and not about selling," Modesto was quoted as saying by Uol Esporte.
Lima's agent Wagner Ribeiro said on Wednesday that Lima and Santos received an offer that was "impossible to refuse" from China.
Modesto also said that Santos are negotiating a new contract for 36-year-old former Brazil striker Ricardo Oliveira.
