Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Jamaal Lascelles, but Premier League rivals Newcastle United obviously do not want to sell.
Jamaal Lascelles is just one of many talented centre-halves Tottenham Hotspur seem to have identified as potential Toby Alderweireld replacements ahead of the summer transfer window.
But the early signs suggest that the Newcastle United defender could be the most difficult target on Tottenham’s radar, with the Telegraph claiming that he has been lined up for a summer move to North London.
Because not only does the £30 million-rated Lascelles have a contract at Newcastle for another five years, it appears that he has no interest in leaving a club he joined from Nottingham Forest as an unproven youngster.
Lascelles is a huge favourite of manager Rafa Benitez and became the youngest captain in Newcastle’s history in 2016. Two years later, he still wears the armband having skippered the Magpies to the Championship title last season.
And there is no indication that player or club are willing to listen to offers. Lascelles only signed a long-term contract in October and, speaking to the Shields Gazette, Benitez predicted he will be at St James’ Park for many more years.
All of this appears to make a move to Tottenham this summer seem unlikely, even if the prospect of working under Mauricio Pochettino would be tempting for any young English talent.
The Telegraph added that Spurs are also keen on West Brom’s Jonny Evans, who is almost guaranteed to leave this summer and has a £3 million relegation clause in his contract. The £50 million-rated Ajax prodigy Matthijs de Ligt is also a target (Football London) and Spurs have got history luring players from the Eredivisie giants.
Lascelles, however, perhaps already seems like a dead end.
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