According to Le10 Sport, Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign Lille midfielder Thiago Maia on loan in this summer's transfer window.

What's the story?

Newcastle have long been linked with a move for Maia, who made 37 appearances in all competitions for his French club during the 2017-18 campaign.

According to Le10 Sport, Lille are open to allowing the Brazilian to leave on loan for the new season, and Newcastle are at the head of the queue.

Maia has been with Lille since a 2017 move from Santos, and showed last season that he has the quality to operate in a major European league.

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle do not see Maia as a priority this summer, but the chance to sign a player of his ability on loan should not be passed up.

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Indeed, the new Premier League campaign is only just around the corner, and Newcastle are in desperate need of some quality in the middle of the park.

Why is a deal for Maia important?

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez wants to add depth and quality to his squad in the final stages of the summer transfer window.

However, despite the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Fulham, club owner Mike Ashley is not suddenly going to make £40m available.

The Magpies are in need of a new midfielder having sold Mikel Merino earlier this summer, and Maia - a fellow countryman of recent arrival Kenedy - would be a low-risk signing on loan.

Le 10 Sport claim that Newcastle could sign Maia on a permanent deal for £22.3m next summer, and a loan move would allow them to view his performances up close and personal before deciding whether a permanent deal makes sense.

A holding midfielder with an impressive range of passing, the Brazil Under-23 international is a no-brainer for Newcastle if a loan deal can indeed be agreed.