Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is eyeing a summer move for Liverpool midfielder Lucas, according to the Northern Echo.

The report claims that Benitez has already enquired regarding the availability of the Brazilian.

During his time with the Merseyside club, the Spanish manager was responsible for bringing Lucas to Anfield in a £5m deal from Gremio in the summer of 2007.

The 30-year-old has only one year left on his current deal, and he is expected to leave Liverpool this summer.