Rio de Janeiro, Jul 7 (IANS): Inter Milan has sent its sporting director Piero Ausilio to Brazil in a bid to sign highly rated midfielders Lucas and Paulinho.

Ausilio held talks with representatives of both players Friday, with Paulinho most likely to accept an offer from the Italian Serie A club, Xinhua reported.

Paulinho, 23, was one of the cornerstones of Corinthians' Copa Libertadores triumph this season. Lucas, 19, has impressed as an attacking midfielder for Sao Paulo.

According to player's agent Wagner Ribeiro, Lucas wants to stay in Brazil until after the 2014 World Cup.

Sao Paulo is reportedly asking for at least 30 million euros for the playmaker, having previously rejected a 25 million euro offer from Inter.

The Italian club is said to have offered 8 million euros for Paulinho, who is more open to a summer move.

"I am still waiting for a contract offer from Inter about a possible move there this summer," Paulinho's agent Bernardo said.