New Everton boss Marco Silva is set to exploit uncertainty at Newcastle United by launching a £30million bid for defender Jamaal Lascelles, according to The Sun.
The national newspaper state that after being confirmed as the Toffees new manager on Thursday Silva has identified the current Magpies captain as the player he wants to bolster his side’s defence.
The Sun report that due to Rafa Benitez’s future at St James Park still being unclear, the newly appointed Toffees boss is set to take advantage of the situation and is currently plotting a £30million bid for Lascelles.
Good move for Newcastle?
No.
Aside from the obvious fact that Lascelles, 24, leaving would have a crippling effect on the Magpies’ current defence, it’s worrying that other Premier League side are targeting the team’s star players due to their manager’s future still not being resolved.
The Sun’s report claims that the dominating centre-back is among the players, implying there’s a few, who may look to leave as talks regarding a new contract for Benitez continue to produce no end result.
If this report is accurate then the Toffees will simply be the first of many teams to try their luck by bidding for the Magpies’ key players and that’s a situation that the club simply do not want.
Nothing But Newcastle: 0/10
Likely to happen?
Lascelles has been linked away before, due to an impressive 2017/18 campaign where he featured 35 times, and there’s no reason to suggest he wants to go.
While the enforcer would no doubt love Benitez’s future to be resolved as the Spanish manager has had a positive effect on his career, he doesn’t seem the type of player to jump ship at the first opportunity.
So the Toffees may well end up offering £30million for Lascelles but it’s hard to imagine it being accepted anytime soon unless Mike Ashley wants fans in uproar.
Nothing But Newcastle: 3/10
