Yesterday, covering press speculation, we ran an article, Click Here, covering the apparent interest, from Leicester City, in our club captain and Player of the Year, Jamaal Lascelles.
The thesis behind the suggestion being that the media world was of the opinion that when Harry Maguire is poached by Manchester United, from Leicester, then Lascelles is viewed as the perfect replacement to fill the void left by the departure of the England international.
The piece of speculation didn’t go down particularly well with the Newcastle support.
However, it seems that any fears we may have had that the deal could be done are misplaced.
The local media source, the Chronicle Live, are of the opinion that Lascelles will not be sold even if Leicester City are bold enough to make a £35 million bid.
Our source carries some words from Rafael Benitez to give credence to their belief, words which read,
“We don’t want to sell him. He was a key player for us last year and he has to be this year and for a long time to come in the future.
“The reality is that we don’t want to sell Jamaal. He is a key player for us and leader.
“We are happy with him.”
Adding further foundations to their belief they’ve also reproduced some comments made by Lascelles a while ago, comments that state how happy he is at the club,
“I’m happy at Newcastle. I don’t take notice of the media and I have always been told not to buy into speculation. I was told not to read into it.
“Half of it isn’t even true anyway so I’m just concentrating on playing for Newcastle.”
So, there’s some good news to start our Sunday with, let’s hope it’s the sign of things to come, although I wouldn’t bet on it, would you?