The transfer market for Newcastle and Premier League clubs has ended, however the Saudi Pro League window is still open. According to TEAMtalk, Al Shabab are interested in Magpies captain Jamaal Lascelles.
The 29-year-old has seen little game time at Newcastle in recent seasons, with only a few starts and substitute appearances in the Premier League.
As a result, the defender may be tempted to depart in order to play regularly for the first team. However, with Newcastle ready to participate in the Champions League and unable to enhance its defensive alternatives, the club is unlikely to accept any transfer proposals now that the window has closed.
United did not sign any center-backs over the summer, leaving just Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Lascelles as senior possibilities. And, with Botman and Schar presently out with minor injuries, and Burn favoured by head coach Eddie Howe to play at left-back, Newcastle simply cannot afford to lose another defender.
Lascelles, like Schar, is out of contract with Newcastle at the end of the season. Burn’s contract was extended during the summer, whereas Botman’s deal will expire in the summer of 2027.
Although Al Shabab’s rumored interest provides Newcastle with the opportunity to cash in on a player they could lose for nothing at the conclusion of the season, Lascelles continues to play an essential role for the club.
Newcastle aren’t the only club whose players have been pursued by Saudi clubs since last week’s deadline. Al Ittihad is still interested in Liverpool winger Mohammed Salah, despite a £150 million proposal being rejected last week.
And Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has previously expressed reservations about the duration of the Saudi transfer window.
“Pretty much the worst thing is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer [than the transfer window in England],” Klopp said earlier this summer. “If I’m correct, I heard something like that, then that’s not helpful, at least in Europe.”
“UEFA or FIFA must find a solution.” It has already had an impact on us, but we must learn to live with it.”
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