According to the latest reports, Leicester City are eyeing a £35m move for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles. Ever since Harry Maguire returned from a magnificent World Cup campaign, he is being linked with a move to Manchester United and as a result, Claude Puel will have to look for his replacement.
Lascelles was one of the standout players for the Magpies as they punched above their weight last season and managed a top half finish. The 24-year-old was chosen as Newcastle United’s player of the season and he had a formidable partnership at the back with Florian Lejeune. There was a chance for him to be picked by Gareth Southgate for England’s squad for the World Cup but the gaffer went in with players he had already used in the friendlies and qualifiers.
He is yet to make a senior team appearance for England, though, it is likely to come within a year or so especially if he continues with his impressive performances. Rafael Benitez has stood firm on the stance that Lascelles is not for sale but a £35m offer could be tempting for the Magpies.
Losing Maguire will be a big loss for the Foxes and the pressure is sure to mount on Claude Puel. The Frenchman had a dismal end to the season and there were rumours that he will get the sack when the season gets done. However, he stayed and will be looking to improve on the 9th place finish from last season.
The 24-year-old has been with the Magpies since 2014 but one can term the last campaign as a breakthrough season for him as the whole of the Premier League started to take notice of the defender. He was a regular feature at the back for his side as he made 35 appearances in all competitions last season and even managed to find the back of the net three times. The Englishman is a good reader of the game and is often strong in his challenges with the added bonus of being aerially dominant.
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Lascelles will definitely be a big coup if the Foxes lose Maguire. More than a centre-back, Lascelles is known to be a leader at the back and having a vocal defender always helps. However, the Englishman will definitely be in Benitez’s plans for the upcoming season so it remains to be seen whether the Foxes will be able to lure him.
