Following claims that Everton will make a £25m move for Jamaal Lascelles this summer, the Chronicle report that Newcastle would not entertain such an offer – stating that the club value the skipper at a ‘significantly higher figure’.
This latest transfer story emerged from the Mirror late last night, who stated that Big Sam’s Blues were planning a £25m swoop for the centre-back this summer – also claiming that Chelsea and Spurs remain big admirers of the 24-year-old.
Any £25m offer would be unsuccessful according to the Chronicle, however. And rightly so. He’s young, English, a leader and has been a colossus at the back on his first full season in the Premier League. That almost certainly makes him worth big money in this day and age.
That being said, one thing Chris Waugh’s piece did highlight is the importance of Benitez in all this, stating the ‘future of the Magpies skipper looks inextricably linked with that of Rafa Benitez’.
His development under the Spaniard has been brilliant – as a character, a captain and defender. He’s regularly spoken of how important it is that we keep him at the club.
Give him what he wants and I’m almost certain the skipper stays (barring an absolutely massive offer from a top 4 club), but should Benitez leave, the likes of Lascelles could be tempted to follow suit – emphasising the importance of us getting things right for Rafa this summer.
