Reports have emerged which suggest that Rafael Benitez wants Lucas Leiva as part of any deal from which Georginio Wijnaldum ends up at Liverpool.
Twitter: #NUFC want Lucas as makeweight in any #LFC deal for Georginio Wijnaldum https://t.co/Pa7j3vRDHD https://t.co/hhp2eKUM6C (@TeleFootball)
With former captain Fabricio Coloccini returning to Argentina this summer, Newcastle find themselves lacking some leadership in their challenge to return to the Premier League.
Benitez has apparently identified the Brazilian as the ideal player to help his side in the upcoming season, and having previously worked with Lucas, he knows what he would add to the team.
Lucas is understood to be reluctant to play in the Championship, however, with Newcastle able to match his current wages, offer regular first-team football and taking into account his good relationship with the manager, he could be persuades to join the Magpies.
A fee has still not been agreed between Liverpool and Newcastle for Wijnaldum. With Newcastle wanting £27m for the Dutchman, it’s believed a compromise package worth between £20-25m could be agreed if Lucas agrees to move the other way.
The deal for Wijnaldum is expected to be finalised before the end of the week, it’s just a question of how Liverpool will pay for the player.
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