Newcastle in talks with defender after stunning start to PL season - report

By Danny Wright

Newcastle United have entered contract negotiations with captain Jamaal Lascelles, according to a report.

The Newcastle Chronicle claims that the Magpies have opened talks in order to give Lascelles, 23, an improved deal despite there being three years left remaining on his current contract.

Lascelles has had a stunning start to the Premier League season in the heart of the Magpies defence, standing firm in the last two matches as Rafa Benitez's men kept two clean sheets and picked up six points.

The defender also got himself on the scoresheet on Sunday when he scored the only goal of the game in the 1-0 victory over Swansea.

It is understood that England manager Gareth Southgate is now considering giving Lascelles a call up to the national team having cast his rule of the ex-Nottingham Forest star when he wowed the St. James' Park faithful with his display in the 3-0 battering of West Ham in August.

Football Insider Verdict

It would be fair to say that Newcastle would be a lot worse off without Lascelles in their squad this season. He is such a pivotal player in the Magpies squad and - if anything - he is the most important. There aren't many teams in the Premier League whose captain is their best player and while Matt Ritchie is invaluable in attack for the Tynesiders, Lascelles is by far and away their leading defender. The report says that Liverpool and Chelsea were linked with the centre-back in the past and it could be that Newcastle are worried a big team may come back in for him in January. This proposed new deal is a win-win for all parties.

In other Newcastle United news, fans were blown away by this defender's display against Swansea.

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