Everton are reportedly ready to part company with at least £30 million in an effort to sign Newcastle centre-half Jamaal Lascelles, but Rafael Benitez is confident of holding on to his captain.
The defender turned in a magnificent season on Tyneside, making 35 appearances and establishing himself as a presence in the heart of the back four.
His performances didn’t go unnoticed however, and various clubs are now said to be competing for the 24-year-old’s services.
According to the Northern Echo, Everton are one such club.
The Echo report that new manager Marco Silva has gone as far to make the Magpies’ skipper his number one transfer target for the window ahead, as the Portuguese tactician seeks to strengthen the Toffees’ defence.
With a series of other Premier League big-hitters interested in the Nottingham Forest youth product, Everton are expected to have to bid around £30 million.
Benitez has no plans to say goodbye to his squad’s leader, however.
The Spaniard said:
I think he will stay here, and hopefully for the long term,
He has huge potential and big clubs will look at him because he is a young, English centre-back.
It is not easy to find good centre-backs who can play well in the Premier League, especially not English ones, and it’s even harder to find young ones. You only need to look around the Premier League to see that.
A figure in conversations for the England squad, Lascelles is continuing to wait on a national call-up to the senior team, despite having featured throughout international age-groups.
