Lugano can follow Cicinho to Real Madrid

Diego Lugano could follow Sao Paulo teammate Cicinho to Real Madrid in January.

The Uruguay international holds an Italian passport and is rated highly by coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. The Real coach is anxious to find an eventual replacement for Ivan Helguera, who is off contract in the summer.

Sao Paulo rate Lugano at £4 million and won't consider selling him until after the Club World Championship in Japan in December.

Lugano is aware of Luxemburgo's interest, but refuses to tout himself publicly to Real out of respect to Sao Paulo's massive support.