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Everton must triple reported bid for 6ft 2in top-flight star loved by manager for 18/19 top-six spot
COMMENT
Everton have got some big problems that Sam Allardyce has to tackle before next season.
Most fans would probably take their current ninth spot in the table given the atrocious start they had under Ronald Koeman.
However, only four teams in the whole Premier League have conceded more goals than Everton this season.
And the sad fact is that Everton have conceded more goals than West Brom who are rock bottom of the Premier League and heading for almost certain relegation.
Michael Keane has underperformed since his big-money move from Burnley, Ashley Williams has seemingly forgotten how to play football and Phil Jagielka is 35.
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This needs to be Allardyce’s focus and there’s a player who fits the bill perfectly in the Premier League.
The Sun have reported that West Ham are eying a £15million swoop for Newcastle Jamaal Lascelles.
The 6ft 2in enforcer is hugely popular at Newcastle, is loved by Benitez for his leadership qualities and by fans for giving every single ounce of himself out on the pitch.
West Ham might be the first Premier League club to break cover over Lascelles but they won’t be the last, and their £15million bid is frankly laughable.
Newcastle might not have a lot of money but if they don’t get relegated this season they’re not going to be desperate to sell one of their best players.
And it will take a big bid to prise him away from them – at least double and probably more like triple what West Ham reportedly rate him at.
And he would be worth every penny.
He’s played every Premier League game for Newcastle this season, except for five when he was out with injury, and anyone that’s seen him on the pitch has been impressed.
He’s a natural leader, a future international and his best days are ahead of him.
He’s exactly the sort of player that Everton need and the sort of player they should be willing to make a serious investment in.
With the financial situation at Newcastle as precarious as ever, they might not be able to resist a big bid, with a solid wage increase for Lascelles on offer too.
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