West Ham ‘interested’ in signing Newcastle United star after Eddie Howe’s ‘wait and see’ transfer admission

West Ham have reportedly added Jamaal Lascelles to their list of targets this month as they look to bolster their defensive options.

The Newcastle United club captain hasn’t featured under Eddie Howe since the end of September and has not been included in any of their recent matchday squads, despite their defensive injury crisis. Lascelles, who had his contract quietly extended by a year last season, is out of contract this summer and hasn’t started a competitive match for the Magpies since March 2024.

Coincidentally, that came against the club that are showing interest in signing him this month - West Ham. Lascelles started Newcastle’s 4-3 win over the Hammers on Easter Saturday back in 2024, but suffered an ACL injury which then subsequently kept him out of action for over a year.

Whilst he still has a major role to play in the club’s leadership group, the Gazette understands that Lascelles is available for transfer this month. Clubs in Turkey have recently been linked with signing the 32-year-old with Besiktas among those that have shown an interest in his signature.

Now, the Daily Mail report that Lascelles has also ‘emerged as a potential target’ for the Hammers this month. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently sit inside the top-flight’s relegation zone and know that no matter what they do this weekend away at Tottenham Hotspur, they will remain in the bottom three come close of play.

Eddie Howe provides Jamaal Lascelles update

Lascelles’ absence over recent weeks has been attributed to a muscle injury. Asked for an update on the defender’s fitness and the prospect of him leaving the club during the January transfer window, Howe said: “He's not training with us currently. He hasn't felt well enough physically to train, good enough.

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“I don't necessarily think that he's injured, but in the sense that he's got one big injury, I just think his body's not feeling great. So he's not training with us currently.

“We hope that will change in the next few weeks. But, yes, there's a possibility that he could leave as well. Jamaal's been an incredible servant. He's a great leader for us behind the scenes. So let's wait and see what happens on his future.”

Lascelles has featured over 250 times for the Magpies during his time at the club and has spent the majority of that time as captain. Lascelles was signed by Newcastle United in the summer of 2014 in a double deal with Nottingham Forest that also saw Karl Darlow move to the north east.

However, he and Darlow would remain at the City Ground for the 2014/15 season before eventually moving to St James’ Park ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Lascelles was not a regular for Newcastle United during his first full season at the club, but quickly rose to becoming a fan-favourite for his leadership skills during the club’s ill-fated battle against the drop. Lascelles was then installed as captain by Rafa Benitez and led the Magpies to the Championship title.

Lascelles also played a key role in helping Newcastle United survive in the Premier League before representing them in the Champions League - playing the full match during their memorable 4-1 victory over PSG in October 2023.

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