Leicester City opinion: The Foxes should go all out for Jamaal Lascelles

Back in July 2018, the Leicester Mercury claimed that Leicester City were interested in signing Newcastle United skipper Jamaal Lascelles as Harry Maguire’s replacement.

Harry Maguire had returned after a strong World Cup campaign with England and was wanted by Manchester United last summer. However, a move didn’t materialise and the Foxes managed to keep hold of their star defender, thus not following up their interest in Jamaal Lascelles.

Now, both Manchester City and Manchester United are locked in a battle to sign Maguire, with both clubs willing to pay up to £65million to secure his signature, report the Metro. United are in desperate need for defensive reinforcements, while Pep Guardiola wants to add to his homegrown ranks at City.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers will be under real pressure to keep hold of the England international, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s top central defenders in recent years.

There is every chance of Maguire’s head turning off due to both Manchester clubs’ European appeal and therefore, it is important that Rodgers starts planning for potential replacements for the English centre-back.

That being said, Leicester must rekindle their interest in Jamaal Lascelles and attempt to sign him from Newcastle United this summer. Rafael Benitez left Newcastle last week after talks over a contract extension fell through.

The Spanish manager, who joined the Magpies in 2016 and was a popular figure at St James’ Park, will depart Tyneside on Sunday, having failed to agree to an extension to his expiring three-year deal. His exit has left the club in complete disarray, with players unaware of who the man to replace him at St. James’ Park is.

Things are bad at Newcastle and Leicester can take utmost advantage of the situation by signing Lascelles.

Rodgers has worked really well with youngsters and given the array of talent on show at the King Power Stadium, Lascelles should not hesitate to join the Foxes and play for a team that will be fighting for a European spot next term.

Read More Newcastle United news, click here: Newcastle United latest news

The Englishman is a strong, powerful and tough defender, with excellent tackling skills and reading of the game.

He is composed in possession and can initiate attacks from the back or come out his line with the ball at his feet before making a quick pass to one of his teammates. Lascelles is also a vocal leader and a committed player, who tries giving his 100% every time he steps on the pitch.

Verdict

At 25, you can’t help but feel the time is now for Lascelles to make the step up to a team with European ambitions. Having signed a new six-year deal with Newcastle in November, the Foxes have to splash a lot of money to sign the English defender this summer.