Newcastle are about to receive a bid for 29-year-old, he is now open to leaving – Sky journalist
Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles could suddenly have the chance to leave St James’ Park.
It was reported heading into the summer that Newcastle had decided to get rid of the centre-back and were going to sell him, but that has not been the case.
Eddie Howe has sung the praises of Lascelles, while the 29-year-old stated himself that he wants to remain at the club.
However, that may no longer be the case. Lascelles has not featured in either of Newcastle‘s opening two Premier League games, while it is well documented that the Magpies are interested in signing a new right-sided centre-back.
Newcastle want someone who is better on the ball than Lascelles, which is further proof that he is not going to force his way into Howe’s starting XI. While his leadership skills are very important, there is seemingly no role for him on the pitch.
Now he might have the opportunity to take his career elsewhere.
Besiktas want to sign Jamaal Lascelles
According to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, Besiktas are interested in signing Lascelles before the transfer window closes.
He has written on Twitter: “Besiktas have strong interest in Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles & expected to make formal approach. Lascelles happy at Newcastle but thought to be open as he wants more game time. He was unused sub in opening two Premier League games this season.”
Besiktas have strong interest in Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles & expected to make formal approach. Lascelles happy at Newcastle but thought to be open as he wants more game time. He was unused sub in opening two Premier League games this season. #NUFC #Besiktas
Tough decision for Lascelles and Newcastle United
Sheth believes that a formal approach is on its way, which means Newcastle and Lascelles will soon have a very big decision to make.
For Newcastle, moving Lascelles on probably makes sense. He is not going to be a regular, and there is now an opportunity to get some money for him rather than losing him for free next summer. His contract expires in 2024.
However, Newcastle can only really afford to let Lascelles leave if they get a replacement in. And the club are not just going to sign anyone. If they are signing a centre-back, it will be someone who they believe can challenge Fabian Schar and eventually take his place in the starting XI.
That is easier said than done, especially with less than a week to go before the transfer window closes.
It is a difficult one for Lascelles too. It is understandable why he would want to leave, as he needs to be playing regular football, and that is not going to happen at St James’ Park.
Lascelles was not a player who Newcastle were planning on selling, so the interest from Besiktas could make this a very interesting final week of the summer transfer window.
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Newcastle weighing up moves for £40m Spaniard and right-sided centre-back – ReportAccording to Mark Douglas at iNews, Newcastle United are considering a move for Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams – but any move for the attacker is ‘unlikely’ this summer.
The club are hoping to free up space on the wage bill over the coming weeks, with Ryan Fraser’s loan move to Southampton expected to be one of several late exits. However, no major outgoings are anticipated, meaning there’ll no funds generated to allow for another big signing.
Williams is a Spanish international winger who has been on the club’s radar for some time. Back in February, The Athletic revealed that we’d lined up a move for the 21-year-old prior to signing Everton’s Anthony Gordon.
Six months on, Douglas reveals that the £40m-rated talent remains firmly on our radar and could be one to watch in the next few windows. He’s started the new La Liga season with two assists in two games and was involved in 15 goals last season, also scoring once in eight appearances for his country.
A right-sided centre-back looks highly unlikely to arrive in the final seven days of the summer window, but iNews report that extensive analysis, scouting and ‘leg work’ will continue behind the scenes, with this likely to be a position we strengthen in January should the right deal emerge.
Who we target at centre-back remains a mystery, but we have been linked with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice and Palace’s Joachim Andersen.
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