Report: Besiktas to sign PL defender which should put to bed speculation around Jamaal Lascelles

Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles had been heavily linked with a move to Turkish side Besiktas throughout January.

The 30-year-old was one of several Newcastle players said to be on their way out of St James' Park this winter, but only Javier Manquillo left from the first-team setup.

However, while Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson are clearly going nowhere, speculation remains regarding the future of Jamaal Lascelles since he was linked with a move to Turkish side Besiktas and the transfer window in Turkey doesn't close until 9th February.

Lascelles could still leave this week

That still leaves the door ajar for the skipper to make a move before the summer transfer window.

Marc Cosgrove/News Images

According to a report in The Shields Gazette, however, Besiktas look to be close to signing Nottingham Forest's Joe Worrall which would suggest that they have given up on Lascelles.

Eddie Howe is still holding out hope that Lascelles will sign another contract at Newcastle with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

Newcastle need to keep hold of everyone for the rest of the season

While Lascelles would be on many fans' lists of players to let go this summer, there's no denying that the former Nottingham Forest man has earned at least a conversation about a new deal after filling in so well during Sven Botman's absence.

If we're being brutally honest, he's not at the level we should be aiming for, but as a backup option, we could do a lot worse.

Regardless of what you think of him as a player and whether or not he's good enough for the Newcastle United project going forward, it surely can't be denied that with our squad as razer thin as it is, we can't afford to let him, or anyone else go right now.