Liverpool have identified NUFC skipper Jamaal Lascelles as one of their ‘top targets’ this summer according to the Independent, with the Jurgen Klopp reportedly keen to bolstering his defensive for next season.
We know Lascelles has gained admirers from the likes of Chelsea and Spurs, but it’s a concern to hear from the Independent (one of the more reputable papers) that Liverpool have made him one of their top priorities this summer.
The story claims that Burnley centre-half James Tarkowski is another option on his radar, stating that the club WILL make a move for one of them in the coming months.
Here’s a few snippets from the story itself:
“Jurgen Klopp has identified Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Newcastle United’s Jamaal Lascelles as his summer centre-half targets, as he seeks to bolster his Liverpool squad for next season.
“The Champions League finalists want to bring in three to four players in the close-season window – including a goalkeeper, likely Jack Butland, and another attacker – but centre-half is again a priority position.
“Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy feel Tarkowski and Lascelles both fit what they want, and the club will try to buy one.
“The will to purchase another centre-half is not necessarily to replace Dejan Lovren or anyone else alongside Virgil van Dijk, but to increase the depth of squad quality, especially given how physically stretched they were in the run to the Champions League final.”
With £75m having been spent on Virgil Van Dijk last summer, the Reds are clearly not scared to spend big when it comes to centre-backs, however the last line of that snippet above does fill me with hope. Would Lascelles leave to potentially sit on a team’s bench?
Even it were for a top 4 club and potential Champions League winner, I don’t see him being the sort of player or character who’d settle for that at this stage of his career.
Jamaal Lascelles defending this season. Our captain. #nufc pic.twitter.com/pU7xKwpEl7
— NG (@NewcastleGoals) May 19, 2018
Any report that include Liverpool going after Butland will be false-Klopp is not interested in Butland. Worry not
Bobby(Quote)
Worrying news?? Really more laugh out loud garbage. Utter Garbage and 30 million would not buy Lascelles left toe.
Texas(Quote)
Lascelles likes it here, likes the gaffer and the supporters. There is no way he would leave to sit on a Liverpool bench. Of course Liverpool,I think, have poached more of our players than any other club to my memory.
Lecky(Quote)