Leicester City have their sights set on Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles to replace Harry Maguire if he moves to Manchester United, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.
What’s the story, then?
The Chronicle report that the Foxes have lined up a £35m bid for Lascelles in the event that United are successful with their big-money pursuit of Maguire, on the back of his impressive World Cup exploits.
However, they say that both Lascelles and manager Rafa Benitez have underlined their desire to see of Leicester’s advances.
The big issue is whether Magpies owner Mike Ashley could resist such a huge offer, especially having recently recruited Fabian Schar, who could act as a preemptive, cheaper replacement.
Benitez simply must get Ashley to refuse the bids
Newcastle simply cannot afford to lose Lascelles – irrespective of Schar’s arrival – as doing so would instantly make them relegation candidates.
The uncapped Englishman is their inspirational leader and Schar should be coming in as his partner, not his replacement, if Newcastle have any ambitions of improving their squad.
However, it is common knowledge that Ashley runs Newcastle like a business, not a football club, and it is some ask to get him to look beyond the pound signs when £35m is dangled in front of his nose.
Benitez must underline Lascelles’ importance – and continued commitment to the cause – to Ashley, otherwise Leicester could easily gain encouragement that a big-money bid could turn the tycoon’s head.
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