Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has been linked with a big-money move to Chelsea.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is confident that captain Jamaal Lascelles is focused on his future at St. James’ Park despite rumours that Chelsea are interested in his services – and Toon fans have responded.
Reports have suggested that Antonio Conte’s side are preparing a £30million offer to sign the 24-year-old, who has exceeded expectation at the back with the Toon.
His performances have almost single-handedly pushed Newcastle away from a relegation fight, starring in a run of excellent results that have seen Benitez’s side win four of their last six league games including a win over Man United.
But Benitez stated that Lascelles is happy at Newcastle: “I think at the moment he knows he has to continue progressing and learning, but he is quite happy here.”
Lascelles, who signed a new contract back in October to keep him at Newcastle until the summer of 2023, has even been backed by a handful of pundits to push his way into the England reckoning ahead of the World Cup.
Newcastle fans are delighted with Benitez’s comments and have rubbished Chelsea’s chances of luring the former Nottingham Forest defender to Stamford Bridge.
One fan jokingly claimed that it would take “£100million” for the Toon to sell Lascelles.
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