Jamaal Lascelles is reportedly a transfer target for Nottingham Forest, but wants to stay at Newcastle United.
That is according to The Telegraph, who believe that the Toon captain is keen to remain at St James’ Park until at least the end of the season.
The report states that Lascelles is ‘attracting interest from Forest’, who are currently trying to sign another player from the Magpies.
Chris Wood looks close to a move to the City Ground, with a loan deal being discussed that would include an option to buy.
But while Wood is willing to leave Newcastle and join Forest in search of first-team minutes, Lascelles thinks differently.
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Jamaal Lascelles wants to stay at Newcastle, and Eddie Howe agrees
The Telegraph believe that the 29-year-old is eager to remain a Newcastle player for the second half of the current season.
Eddie Howe agrees, with the report stating that the Toon boss wants to keep Lascelles’ presence around the training ground.
While the captain rarely plays, he is still an influential figure on Tyneside. Premier League minutes have been hard to come by though, which has forced the centre-back to improvise. He has managed to pick up two yellow cards this season as a substitute – first in the win over Chelsea then in the draw away to Arsenal.
Howe is right to want to keep Lascelles. He is an important member of the squad and a well respected member of the leadership group.
If he did leave, he would only need to be replaced. And whoever came in would perhaps not have the same impact in the dressing room – at least not to begin with.
From Lascelles’ perspective, while it must be frustrating not playing, he must take great pride in seeing the improvement of the club. He led Newcastle during a tough period, and now things are on the up.
He wants to stay for the rest of the season, and what a special season it is turning out to be. Lascelles might even be eyeing up a trophy lift, with Newcastle in the semi finals of the League Cup, dreaming of a trip to Wembley next month.