Rafa Benitez wants loan reunion with Chelsea man – reports

Sarah Winterburn

Newcastle are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender David Luiz on loan in January.

The Evening Standard claims that Rafa Benitez knows the Brazilian from his spell in charge of Chelsea and the ‘duo were spotted chatting for several minutes’ at the end of Newcastle’s defeat at Chelsea earlier this month.

Luiz has not started a Premier League game since October; he is currently injured but he is thought to be available for transfer in January after falling out of favour with coach Antonio Conte.

​Juventus and Real Madrid have been linked with Luiz, but this week has brought talk of a new suitor in the form of Arsenal. Newcastle’s need for him is arguably even greater.

There is little chance of Luiz getting near Brazil’s World Cup squad if he is not playing regularly.

Catalunya Radio claimed on Tuesday that Luiz has basically offered himself to Barcelona as a replacement for Javier Mascherano.