Bayer step up search for Lucio successor

Bayer Leverkusen admit they are looking at replacements for Brazil World Cup winner Lucio as they prepare to lose the services of the 25-year-old defender in the summer.

Lucio's contract runs to 2007 but Bayer general manager Ilja Kaenzig acknowledges the club can not fend off the big guns for much longer.

"We know that Lucio will move to a big club," Kaenzig told Thursday's edition of Die Welt.

"However, Lucio will at least stay until the summer as we are looking for his replacement."

Champions League finalists in 2002, Bayer have a history of selling their best players with Ze Roberto, Michael Ballack and Robert Kovac all moving to rivals Bayern Munich in multi-million deals.

"Lucio and Juan will be next," added Kaenzig.

Italian champions Juventus are firm favourites to net Lucio in the summer with reports suggesting the Turin side have already paid Bayer four million euros as a down payment with the other 10 million euros to come at the end of the season.

"I do not know anything about this supposed transfer," Bayer sporting director Jurgen Kohler told Sport 1.

Big-spending Chelsea along with Spanish titans Real Madrid are also thought to be in the hunt as Bayer look to fetch a handsome price for the Brazilian star who cost them 7.7 million euros.

"A very profitable transfer is the only option for us," confirmed Kaeinzig. "Lucio has great sporting value but immense financial value."