Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is confident that Liverpool target Jamaal Lascelles will remain with the Magpies next season.
Benitez’ old side, Liverpool, have just joined the list of clubs that are interested in signing the 24-year-old, with the Spaniard not surprised that he his gaining this much attention.
Liverpool are looking for a young English defender that can partner Virgil Van Dijk and add a British core to their side.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Benitez was full of praise for Lascelles:
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.
He has all the attributes to be a target for all top teams because you can see from his performances over the last two years he keeps getting better and better.
But I think that for his future, and for his development, that he stays in a place where he can play and he can improve and continue to keep getting better with us.
Lascelles made 33 Premier League appearances this season as Newcastle finished in 10th place, and believes that he can help them back up to the top end of the Premier League:
This is the right club for me at the right time. We have a huge fanbase, an amazing manager, and this club is massive. It has so much history.
As captain, I want to see how far we can go – and potentially take it back to where it belongs.
Other clubs battling Liverpool for Lascelles are Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton and West Ham United.
