RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Luis Orejuela could remain at Gremio in 2021 despite the Brazilian club's failure to meet a deadline to sign the Colombian on a permanent deal.

Gremio had been given until December 20 to exercise an option that would have turned a 12-month loan from Cruzeiro into a long-term contract. However, talks between Orejuela's representatives and officials from both clubs are ongoing, according to the Globo Esporte news outlet.

It added that Orejuela had expressed a wish to stay in Porto Alegre. Having arrived last January, the 25-year-old made 31 appearances for Gremio in 2020 and was recalled to Colombia's squad in November for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Ecuador.

Gremio is currently fifth in Brazil's 20-team Serie A standings, 11 points behind leaders Sao Paulo with 12 matchdays remaining in the season.

Cruzeiro, relegated from Brazil's top flight in 2019 for the first time in their 98-year history, is currently 11th in the Serie B table. Enditem

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