RIO DE JANEIRO -- Watford have made a bid to sign Santos defender Lucas Verissimo, according to reports in the Brazilian press.

The English Premier League club offered 7.5 million euros (around $8.5 million) to prise the 25-year-old away from the Brazilian Serie A club, Globo Esporte said on Tuesday.

It added that the deal could see Verissimo subsequently loaned out to Italian Serie A side Udinese, which shares the same owners as Watford.

Verissimo has also reportedly attracted the interest of Chelsea and Inter Milan 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.

Watford, who are fighting to avoid relegation, currently have two Brazilians in their squad: goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and forward Joao Pedro.