According to reports, West Ham may be forced to cool their interest in Jamaal Lascelles, as Newcastle have set their asking price for the defender at £30million.
What’s the story?
Last week, a report from the Mirror claimed Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is a summer target for West Ham.
The report from the Mirror claimed Manuel Pellegrini will be handed £75m to spend this summer, and that Lascelles and Burnley’s James Tarkowski were his top targets to bolster the defence.
Now, a report from the Sun (27/05, page 65) has suggested the Hammers have gone off signing Lascelles, as they claim the Magpies’ £30m asking price will “scare” the East Londoners off.
If the Hammers’ owners are serious about giving Pellegrini the best chance to succeed though, they must back him with his top targets, and Lascelles could be worth every penny.
Is he worth it?
If the reports about Pellegrini’s £75m war chest are true, then splashing £30m on Lascelles would make a significant dent, but if the 24 year-old could form a long term partnership with Declan Rice then the Hammers should absolutely take the plunge.
Lascelles is undoubtedly a fantastic defender, but he is also a fantastic leader, something the Irons’ defence lacked under David Moyes.
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Rafael Benitez made the young defender his captain because he was the only one in the relegated Newcastle side that fought for every last second, something the fans in East London would absolutely adore.
With Jose Fonte departing to China, James Collins leaving the club this summer and Winston Reid’s future looking increasingly uncertain, a central defender is the top priority for Pellegrini this summer, so why not spend big to fix the problem?
Despite being snubbed by Gareth Southgate’s England, Lascelles has averaged an incredible seven clearances per game this season, and has put in some truly momentous performances.
In the Magpies’ 3-0 win against Southampton in March, a “six pointer” at the time, the 24 year-old made 13 clearances, a week after showing his pace to catch Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah on a late breakaway.
Lascelles has all the components of a top defender. He’s big, strong, fast, and not afraid to spray the ball around. Most importantly though, he is courageous, he is a leader, and he is the backbone the Hammers have been missing since Winston Reid went off the boil.
So, West Ham fans, do you think Lascelles is worth £30m? Or should you look elsewhere? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
