Blues join queue of clubs linked with move for Magpies skipper Lascelles as new Goodison boss Silva looks to splash out

NEW Everton manager Marco Silva has made Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles his No 1 transfer target this summer, according to a report.

The Toffees boss is looking to find a new long-term partner in central defence for Michael Keane, with Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams nearing the end of their Goodison Park careers.

According to The Sun, Silva has identified Lascelles as his favoured defensive target – and is said to be readying a £30million bid.

It is claimed that the Toffees believe they can “capitalise on the uncertainty” over Rafa Benitez’s long-term future at Newcastle – the Spaniard is yet to sign an extension to his current deal, which has a year left to run – by offering a substantial financial package to the Magpies captain.

Last month, Benitez admitted it is only natural that the Premier League’s top side will look at making a move for Lascelles this summer – but he remains confident his captain with stay on Tyneside for “a long time”.

The 24-year-old has been linked with Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham United in recent months, but Everton’s interest appears to be strongest at the moment.

However, Benitez and Lascelles enjoy an excellent relationship, and the United manager believes the defender acknowledges that they best way for him to continue his development is by remaining at Newcastle, where he will play regularly and help the club to progress.

“I think he will stay here, and hopefully for the long term,” Benitez told the Chronicle about Lascelles’

future last month. “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, it is better that he stays in a place where he can play and he can improve and continue to keep getting better with us.

“I think he understands that too. He seems happy and he is learning all the time, so I hope he stays for a long time.”

The United captain himself has also stressed that he sees his future on Tyneside.

But seemingly Everton believe they can entice Lascelles away, should Benitez’s long-term situation not be resolved.

“This is the happiest I’ve been,” Lascelles said about the speculation regarding his future last month.

“I’m playing week in, week out. And I’m the captain here, the fans love me, and I’ve got a good relationship with them because I love them. And we’re doing well.

“I’m very happy here. You hear things, you hear rumours and stuff, but I’m a young player and I need to be playing football at a good club – and that’s what this is.

“This is the right club for me at the right time.

“As captain, I want to see how far we can go – and potentially take it back to where it belongs.”