RIO DE JANEIRO - Benfica are preparing a bid to sign Santos defender Lucas Verissimo, according to reports in the Brazilian press.

Santos have held preliminary talks with Benfica representatives and are willing to sell the 25-year-old Brazilian for seven million euros (around $8 million), the Globo Esporte news outlet said on Sunday.

Verissimo has also been linked with English Premier League club Watford and Italy's Udinese in recent weeks.

The center-back has made 156 first-team appearances for Santos since being promoted from the club's youth academy in 2016.

Benfica are currently second in Portugal's Primeira Liga standings, eight points behind Porto with two matches remaining in the season.