BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Argentine giants River Plate are considering making a bid to sign Paraguay international forward Lucas Barrios from Brazil's Gremio, according to media reports.

River coach Marcelo Gallardo has identified Barrios as a possible solution to the club's deficiencies in attack, along with America de Mexico's Silvio Romero and Sao Paulo's Lucas Pratto, Clarin newspaper reported.

Barrios has scored 18 goals in 43 appearances for Gremio since joining the club from their Brazilian rivals Palmeiras in February.

He is currently in the United Arab Emirates, where Gremio are participating at the FIFA Club World Cup following their Copa Libertadores triumph last month.

River Plate are 17th in Argentina's first division standings with just four wins from their first 12 matches.