Newcastle United handed their survival hopes a significant boost at the weekend with a 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town but Rafael Benitez knows there is still plenty of work to do, which will extend into the summer market.
The Spaniard has been faced with restricted funds during recent transfer windows at St. James’ Park, limiting his activity in January to just loan deals as he landed Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Islam Slimani in the mid-season window.
As such, it may be difficult to fend off interest from other sides if they offer significant funds for players within the Newcastle squad and The Mirror states Chelsea are eyeing a £30m swoop for Magpies skipper Jamaal Lascelles.
The 24-year-old has caught the eye in Newcastle’s return to the Premier League this season, attracting the interest of the Blues as they seek to find the long-term replacement to John Terry, after he left the club last year.
Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of Lascelles but a £30m price would go a long way for Benitez’s reinvestment plans, whilst the defender may be keen on a move to bolster his chances of breaking into the England squad.
