OPINION
Newcastle United must make an ambitious move for Chelsea defender David Luiz in the summer, as the currently frozen-out enforcer would be a fantastic signing for the club.
Luiz is currently frustrated on the Chelsea sidelines with a knee injury, but the centre-back had already lost his starting XI position to Andreas Christensen after falling out with manager Antonio Conte, which was reported by The Times.
Shields Gazette previously reported that the Magpies were interested in signing him in the January transfer window if the Blues were prepared to loan him out.
Despite the local newspaper’s report no official move was ever made by the club for his services, and no other side came into rescue him from his Chelsea nightmare.
At the time it was hard to imagine a player of Luiz’s quality joining the Magpies, but his recent comments should have the Northern side scrambling to put a deal together.
The 30-year-old centre-back didn’t just reveal his great friendship with Magpies boss Rafa Benitez, he also how he supported Kenedy’s decision to go to St James’ Park in January.
“I spoke with him (Kenedy) before he left in January and told him he would love Newcastle,” Luiz revealed in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“I told him about the great support and atmosphere, now he is in love, I am not surprised.
“Rafa Benitez is also a great friend of mine, I told Kenedy that he would find a special coach, a special person who would improve him as a player and also as a man, I told him he is in good hands.”
With the Magpies looking very likely to be in the Premier League next season, Benitez knows he needs to add players capable of playing in England’s top-flight.
The Magpies manager’s current squad is lacking a bit of quality, with the majority of the players available to him, being more suited to playing in the Championship.
Benitez should look no further than his friend, Luiz, when searching the transfer market, as the defender is a world-class option to take and could easily be available.
The powerhouse enforcer helped Chelsea win the Premier League title last season and has made a grand total of 124 Premier League appearances across his career.
The 30-year-old is a skilful defender, who also has leadership qualities that would certainly give the entire Newcastle squad a boost.
While Luiz has showcased his ability to be a little reckless at times, on his day and with the right manager, the defender is unstoppable.
There is a very real chance that the Magpies could strike a deal for Luiz’s services, whether it be on loan or a permanent basis, due to the defender’s status at his club.
Aside from being frozen-out, Luiz’s contract is about to enter its final year as it expires in June 2019.
Therefore while it may be a long-shot, the Magpies must show their ambitious and try to sign the experienced Premier League enforcer.