Football Digest: Newcastle could be a Premier League title contender
Newcastle United could make one final big signing before the transfer window closes as head coach Eddie Howe looks to bolster his backline ahead of the deadline. Reports suggest centre-back Jamaal Lascelles could be on his way out of St James’ Park this summer with interest from abroad, and that could open up a spot for Howe to bring in another player in the next week after drawing up a shortlist of six targets.
Howe has confirmed that Lascelles remains club captain but the defender is very much out of the picture in terms of selection, with the 29-year-old now considered fifth-choice as a centre-back.
The Nottingham Forest trainee has only 10 months left remaining on his contract and it may represent the ideal time to cash in, as Lascelles will be free to speak to foreign clubs about a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
Turkish giants Besiktas are shopping for a new defender and have registered their interest in Lascelles, according to Sky Sports News. Reporter Dharmesh Sheth claimed that a ‘formal approach’ is imminent, although it is unclear how much Newcastle would want to approve his exit.
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Lascelles is understood to be happy with life at Newcastle, but he would be open to other opportunities as he is keen to get more game time – something Howe can no longer guarantee with the partnership of Sven Botman and Fabian Schar.
Lascelles was unused substitute in opening two Premier League games this season and may accept his time at the club is coming to an end after spending 11 years with the Magpies.
Newcastle have identified six players who could replace Lascelles this summer, although the club’s cautious approach to Financial Fair Play (FFP) means they will need to be creative in how they structure a deal.
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Jean-Clair Todibo and Edmond Tapsoba, who have both been linked with Manchester United, are on their radar – according to the Daily Mail. Similarly, the club are keeping tabs on Torino’s in-demand defender Perr Schuurs, Bayer Leverkusen starlet Odilon Kossounou and Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace.
In addition, Benfica youngster Antonio Silva is also being tracked by the club, although the cost of any potential may rule him out as a realistic target.
The club have made a significant effort to strengthen their squad in preparation for their first Champions League group stage campaign in 20 years, with Newcastle splashing out £135million on Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Yakuba Minteh this summer.
And improving their squad depth by allowing Lascelles to head to Turkey could be their final piece of business once they have decided on his replacement.
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