Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez hoping to shore up midfield with move for Liverpool's Lucas



Inter Milan’s defeat by Tottenham has convinced boss Rafa Benitez to step up attempts to sign Brazil midfielder Lucas from Liverpool.

The Italians are plotting a £5million bid in January for the 23-year-old to give Benitez more strength in depth.

While a move for Lucas will hardly get the San Siro salivating, Inter are putting aside money to splash out on strengthening the flanks - with Tottenham’s Gareth Bale top of their wish list.

On the move? Benitez is plotting a £5m move for the Liverpool midfielder

Inter played Sulley Muntari and Javier Zanetti as holding midfielders in front of the back four on Tuesday as the European champions were humbled 3-1 by Spurs in the Champions League.

Benitez has the likes of Thiago Motta, McDonald Mariga and Esteban Cambiasso to welcome back in midfield, but he is an admirer of the underrated Lucas from his time in charge at Anfield and would be happy to offload Muntari to make space in the squad. A swap deal has also been mooted.

Lucas, 23, has never been a favourite on Merseyside since signing from Gremio in 2007 and the slower, more technical game in Italy could suit his style.