Premier League sides Chelsea and Liverpool are said to be keen on the Newcastle United skipper.
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez does not envisage the sale of captain Jamaal Lascelles in January, the Spaniard has told the Chronicle.
After being linked with a move to Premier League leaders Chelsea earlier this autumn, Lascelles is now a reported target for third-place Liverpool, having excelled for the Magpies in this season’s Championship.
The 23-year-old has been a rock at the back for his side, who can reclaim top spot if they bet Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, keeping nine clean sheets in 19 outings.
And Benitez has assured the Newcastle faithful that after speaking to Lascelles and his associates he has heard little to suggest the defender has had his head turned by either Chelsea or Liverpool.
“I saw the links, but I have been talking with Jamaal and with more people around him,” Benitez told the Chronicle.
“He’s happy, he’s OK – we think that he’s a good player for us so I don’t see any big change in January around him, or anyone really.”
According to the Chronicle, it would take a near club-record bid of more than £30 million for Newcastle to consider selling Lascelles in January.
Striker Andy Carroll, for whom Liverpool paid £35 million six years ago, remains the Magpies’ most costly export, and with a season in the Premier League worth at least triple that amount, it makes little sense to sell whilever the former Nottingham Forest player is happy at St. James’ Park.
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