Rafa Benitez lines up deal to bring old Liverpool favourite to Newcastle United

This would represent a coup for the Championship side.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Lucas as part of the deal to take Georginio Wijnaldum to Anfield, according to The Daily Telegraph. Rafa Benitez, the Magpies' manager, brought Lucas to Liverpool in 2007 and stuck by him through a few difficult years when Lucas had become something of a boo-boy for some Liverpool's fans. The former Real Madrid manager is understood to be very keen on recruiting Lucas for Newcastle's promotion push. The Telegraph report that Benitez is prepared to offer the 29-year-old the captain's armband in an attempt to convince him to move to St. James Park. Lucas has been at Liverpool longer than any other player in Jurgen Klopp's side, making 313 appearances in total over the past nine years, and performed well last season. While the midfielder is thought to be reluctant to drop into the Championship, his close bond with Benitez could convince him to make the move. Newcastle's insistence on signing Lucas is reportedly holding-up Wijnaldum's move to Liverpool. The Dutch midfielder is expected to cost between £20m-£25m. The Magpies are also understood to be interested in taking Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan on-loan.