According to the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Rafa Benitez has just confirmed that Jamaal Lascelles is NOT for sale.
Sky reported earlier today that West Ham had made a £25m bid for the skipper and although it was swiftly rejected and deemed ‘out of hand’, it was unsettling news to hear – for Benitez, us fans and Lascelles himself.
The Spaniard is currently at the 1892 Foundation Cup Presentation (for the NUFC foundation) and he appears to have given a bullish response to Lee Ryder following today’s rumours linking the skipper with a move away from St James’ Park:
“For sure, we don’t want to sell Jamaal.
“He is a key player for us, he was a key player last year, and he has to be a key player for Newcastle United for years to come.”
Rafa Benitez has just confirmed Lascelles NOT for sale #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) July 10, 2018
As long as Mike Ashley is in charge I’ll always worry that every player has their price, however it seems so clear that Lascelles is an irreplaceable asset to NUFC – and Benitez clearly has no intention of letting him go. Not matter what the price.
Finally, Rafa has also confirmed that Kenedy is ‘very close’ to signing – with confirmation expected either tonight or tomorrow.