According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are one of a number of clubs lining up a summer swoop for Dani Garcia.

What's the story?

Rafa Benitez has been on the lookout for a central midfielder to partner with Jonjo Shelvey next season and AS reports Dani Garcia is a target for the Magpies.

Garcia, who has made 248 league appearances for his current club Eibar, is out of contract this summer. Newcastle could have competition from within the Premier League, as the report claims Southampton are also interested in the defensive midfielder.

Real Betis, Levante and Athletic Bilbao are all hoping to convince the 27 year-old to stay in Spain.

Would he be a good signing?

The fact that Benitez is on the lookout for reinforcements is a good sign in itself for Newcastle fans, and Garcia would be a great starting point.

The 27 year-old is not the technically gifted maestro one might expect when signing a midfielder from Spain, but he would bring a great balance to the Newcastle midfield alongside Jonjo Shelvey. Garcia is a classic Spanish defensive midfielder, using his intelligence and reading of the game to sniff out attacks and stop them before they begin.

Valued at £4.41million by Transfermarkt, the midfielder averages 2.7 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in Eibar’s midfield, and isn’t afraid to spray the ball around either, averaging 6.2 successful long balls per game (Shelvey averages 4.5).

If Benitez’s plan is to build a strong central midfield that can drop long balls in behind to wingers like Kenedy and Christian Atsu, then Garcia and Shelvey could be the perfect partnership on Tyneside. Add to that the fact that it would be a free signing with his contract running down, and Garcia could be exactly what Benitez is looking for.

Newcastle fans, do you think Garcia would be a good fit? Let us know in the comments below…

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