Club captain Jamaal Lascelles is close to penning a new long term deal with Newcastle United.
The Englishman has been the star performer for Rafael Benitez’s side so far this term and the club are eager to tie down the defender’s long term future to St James’ Park.
Lascelles has scored the winners in two of Magpies last three fixtures, finding the net against both Swansea and Stoke to earn Benitez’s side an invaluable six points as they look to mount an early charge up in the table to ensure their top flight status for next season.
“It’s closer than last week. Don’t worry, it’s very close,” Benitez said when questioned over a new deal for the captain.
The Spaniard is also thought to be keen to tie down a number of his other keys players after an impressive start to the new campaign, including extending the deal for Borussia Dortmund loanee Mikel Merino, who was named the club’s Player of the Month.
Lascelles form in recent weeks have seen him thrown into discussions about a potential England call-up, with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate set to name is his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania in the coming week.
