Rafa Benitez Set For Liverpool Raid

0

Rafa Benitez is determined to bring Premier League experience to his Newcastle United squad and returned to former club Liverpool, to snag a bargain.

Brazilian midfielder, Lucas Leiva, is out of contract this summer, reports the Daily Express, and is concerned about being on the periphery of the Liverpool first XI. It means last season’s Championship title-winners can pick up him up on a free transfer.

Leiva, 30, has 24 caps for his country but hasn’t featured for the Selecao since 2013. His versatility has been his downfall, with Jurgen Klopp keeping him on the bench in case he was needed as a makeshift central defender.

2016/17 proved to be a momentous season for Leiva. After seven years without a first team goal, he delivered the winner against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third replay at Home Park.

It’s by no means certain that Lucas will leave Anfield. While frustrated at the lack of regular opportunities, the Merseyside club still rate him as an important squad member.

Despite being out of contract, Liverpool didn’t include him on their list of Released Players circulated by the Premier League recently. It signals that a new deal may be on offer for the player they signed for £5m from Internazionale in 2007.

The manager who signed him? Rafa Benitez.