Rafa Benitez is hoping to lure Daniel Ayala to Newcastle United this summer.

The Daily Mail reports that the Magpies boss is keen to keep the Middlesbrough star in the Championship despite him helping the Teessiders gain promotion back to the Premier League.

Ayala, 25, joined Liverpool's academy when Benitez was in charge of the Merseyside club in 2007 and it is believed that the Spaniard is eager to reunite with his compatriot.

However, Boro value the cultured centre-half at around £15million, which may throw Newcastle off the scent, while the player himself harbours ambitions to play in the Premier League having struggled in England's top flight with the Reds and Norwich City.