'All the money in China', 'Golden goose' - Newcastle fans rage over star's exit claims
Newcastle United fans have turned to social media to rage over a report claiming Chelsea are in a transfer hunt for star defender and club captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Thursday saw the London Evening Standard claim on their website that the reigning Premier League champions have been monitoring the progress of the former Nottingham Forest man since 2016, and will look to swoop for his signing in the summer in a bid to bolster their ageing back line with some young talent.
However, the Toon Army were less than impressed with the report, taking to Twitter to voice their worry that a big money bid would tempt owner Mike Ashley to sell up, the fans insisting on a price tag in excess of £50million if Chelsea were going to make an offer.
Here, Football Insider has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
Mr Ashley sees Lascelles as a new golden goose. Same scenario as Carroll and Cabaye #nufc
— David Punton (@DavePunton) February 22, 2018
£60m+.
— Daniel (@danjpeg) February 22, 2018
Can absolutely see why they’d want him and why he’d be tempted to go. Just got to hope he sees his future here under Rafa and wants to become a hero. Unfortunately we all know if we’re offered north of 50m he’ll go regardless of what he or Rafa wants though.
— Nick (@23nsg) February 22, 2018
if stones is worth 50 whats lascelles worth ????
— SpudZy #EGN (@iTzspudz) February 22, 2018
Chelsea won’t be only club with interest in Lascelles this summer. If Ashley is still here going into next season then there is nothing we can do to stop him leaving. Ashley will take the cash and we all know it. #nufc
— DeKuip02 (@DeKuip02) February 22, 2018
no not for all the money in china, we need to keep our best players if we are to move forward
— jimmy kelly (@xskye69x) February 22, 2018
couldn't afford him 🙂 up and coming English centre half you would have to be looking at upwards of £75 million in the current market
— David Melia (@bodas73) February 22, 2018
If the offer is good enough Ashley will sell him.
— marty lawrance (@marty_lawrance) February 22, 2018
Lascelles has been a revelation at the heart of defence since his breakthrough in the doomed 2015/16 season, and was handed the captain’s armband by manager Rafael Benitez for the club’s campaign in the Championship, retaining it for the current season.
He has turned out 24 times across all competitions on their return to the top flight, and committed his long term future to the Magpies back in October, putting pen to paper on a deal which will run until 2023.
In other Newcastle United news, fans were left raving over one outcast after he hit a major milestone.