Everton are reportedly interested in Jamaal Lascelles, whose Newcastle future is in doubt because Rafa Benitez has not been given a new contract.
Everton have become the latest club to show interest in Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles, with the Sun reporting they are preparing a £30m bid for the defender.
New Toffees manager Marco Silva views Lascelles as the ideal partner for Michael Keane at the back as he looks for a long term replacement for Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams.
Yet tempting the 24-year-old from St James’ Park could prove tricky, especially after comments the Englishman made last month after the Magpies finished 10th in the Premier League in their first season after winning the Championship title.
“I’m very happy here,” Lascelles told the Chronicle.
You hear things, you hear rumours and stuff, but I’m a young player and I need to be playing football at a good club – and that’s what this is.
“This is the right club for me at the right time. We have a huge fanbase, an amazing manager, and this club is massive. It has so much history.”
The “amazing manager” reference might be the most key in this particular scenario, with the report claiming that Lascelles’ future with Newcastle is in doubt because boss Rafa Benitez is still yet to sign a new contract.
Benitez and the centre-back have struck up a great relationship during the former’s time in charge, with the Spaniard making him skipper following relegation in 2016.
Yet with just a year left to run on the 58-year-old’s current deal, speculation continues about whether the former Chelsea and Liverpool chief will remain with the Toon.
Both Benitez and Lascelles are hugely popular figures among the fans on Tyneside and the prospect of losing both this summer is a situation that would undoubtedly permanently tarnish the reputation of already unpopular owner Mike Ashley.
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