According to French media outlet Le 10 Sport, Newcastle United are keen to sign Lille defensive midfielder Thiago Maia and have already had a bid rejected, and their Premier League rivals West Ham United should be watching developments closely.

What's the word, then?

Thiago Maia in action for Lille

Well, Le 10 Sport report that Magpies manager Rafa Benitez has made a move to bring the 21-year-old Brazilian to St James' Park this summer, as he clearly wants to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.

If Maia did eventually leave the Ligue 1 outfit, who only narrowly avoided relegation to the French second tier last term, for Tyneside, he would be competing with the likes of Mo Diame, Isaac Hayden, Mikel Merino and Jonjo Shelvey, who earns £70,000-a-week according to Spotrac, for a spot in central midfield.

He certainly impressed for Lille during the 2017/18 campaign despite their struggles, and according to WhoScored.com he won 55 tackles and made 60 interceptions for his club in 34 Ligue 1 appearances.

Why should West Ham be interested in the situation?

Well, if Newcastle do sign Thiago Maia it would suggest that one of the midfielders we mentioned previously could be on their way, including Shelvey.

The England international was one of his club's most impressive performers during the 2017/18 campaign as Benitez's men recorded a 10th-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League, and his influence from both a defensive and offensive point of view could be brilliant for West Ham and new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who could save a fortune by using these three exciting youngsters in the first team rather than spending big on the likes of Marlon and Javier Pastore, next term.

[brid autoplay="true" video="252976" player="12034" title="Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup"]

The Chilean boss looks certain to bring in a new midfielder with captain Mark Noble getting no younger and Cheikhou Kouyate enduring a tough season last time out, and the powerful Shelvey could be an inspired addition given his ability on the ball.

The Romford-born 26-year-old may well fancy a return to the capital, but the east London club would likely have to spend big on the midfielder given he still has three years remaining on his contract with the Toon.