Report reveals eight-figure bid readied for mega-money-rated Newcastle star
Chelsea had readied a bid worth £18million for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles back in the summer of 2016, according to a report.
The Northern Echo claim on their website that the Blues were willing to table the eight-figure offer to the Magpies after they had suffered relegation from the Premier League, with several of their star performers leaving the club in big money deals.
Lascelles had been something of a revelation in the heart of the defence for the club, becoming a regular under manager Rafael Benitez, and having remained with the club, was handed the captain’s armband.
Now, the report states that the Spanish boss rates his central powerhouse at a mega-money fee of £50million, which would make him among the top five most expensive defenders in world football, but that he would do anything to keep Lascelles at St James’ Park after establishing himself as a proven top flight performer.
Football Insider verdict
If Chelsea were willing to splash out £18million for Lascelles’ signing back after the club’s relegation, then Mike Ashley will be rubbing his hands together in glee at the price tag he could slap on the 24-year-old now. His performances at the heart of the defence have caught the eye not only of the Toon Army but opposition fans and pundits alike, and there have been whispers of a possible England call up ahead of the World Cup. If he is included in the Three Lions’ squad, that will be some more money on his value, and an appearance on the international stage would keep that price tag rising. Newcastle fans might be nervous about the future, but they have until the end of the season with him, as well as a contract which expires in 2023.
In other Newcastle United news, Benitez is set to axe one man for his starting XI against Bournemouth.