Gremio have opened talks with Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva over a possible return.
The one-time Brazil international has been used as a makeshift centre-back by the Reds this season after failing to stake a regular role in his preferred position.
Last month Lucas admitted that he faced a dilemma over his Anfield future amid interest from the likes of Inter Milan during the previous transfer window.
Rejoining his former club has now emerged as a possibility after Gremio president Romildo Bolzan Junior revealed that an approach has been made.
However the Brasileirao side’s chief concedes that a deal to prise Lucas, 30, from Liverpool is likely to prove highly difficult.
“Lucas Leiva is a player who is in the fans’ minds,” he told UOL.
“He is a player that would be important to bring, we made an approach.
“But at the moment he is out of the possibilities. I am not going to feed false expectations.
“It’s very difficult for Lucas Leiva to come to Gremio, we made an approach and the conditions are very difficult.”