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Transfers
Could Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva be set for a reunion with Rafael Benitez at Newcastle?
According to reports coming from the this morning, newly-promoted Newcastle United are set to make a move for veteran Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva in the upcoming weeks.
It has been said that the Magpies have already enquired about a switch to St James’ Park and, with Jordan Henderson set to return to Jurgen Klopp’s side, Lucas might not find regular football at Anfield.
Talk of a move to Newcastle would re-unite the 30-year-old Brazilian with manager Rafael Benitez after their time spent at Anfield previously and would show a real sign of intent from the Magpies.
Would the 30-year-old be able to improve Newcastle United’s side?
With Newcastle looking to secure their Premier League status and avoid immediate relegation back to the Championship, they could do worse than looking at the experienced figure of Lucas Leiva.
After a ten-year spell at Liverpool, clocking up nearly 300 appearances, Lucas has been there and done it all and would provide invaluable top-flight experience in a relatively youthful and naïve Newcastle side.
Reports of a potential move costing around the £4 million – when considering how much money currently resides in the game– represents a cut-price and proven option for Benitez to gamble on.
Lucas had never truly hit the headlines during his Premier League career but it is this under-rated nature that lends him so well to a side, almost working as an engine room at the back of a midfield.
For a man that frequently slips under the radar he has been an incredibly important asset to Liverpool for a number of years, constantly getting stuck into challenges and pressing opposition attackers into making mistakes on the ball, before recovering possession and setting his team away.
Since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp he has only developed his game further, giving the Brazilian an added attacking sense to his game which sees him less afraid to drive out of position into the attack.
He’s grown comfortable when on the ball and – a far cry from his Liverpool early days – his intelligence and vision in the opposition half has improved substantially, finding players with regularity.
With former Liverpool man Jonjo Shelvey also propping up the Newcastle midfield at present it could prove to be a double reunion for Lucas that sees the duo strike up an immediate chemistry together.
If Benitez is looking for a man to sit at the back of the midfield and quietly go about his business of protecting the Newcastle back-line, then Lucas could be a dependable fit for a very reasonable price.