Nottingham Forest interest in Jamaal Lascelles could give Newcastle United transfer dilemma

Nottingham Forest will pose a serious dilemma to Eddie Howe and the Newcastle United hierarchy if they make a tempting offer for Jamaal Lascelles this summer. Reports in The Athletic claim the newly-promoted Premier League side are considering a move for the Toon skipper to bolster their backline ahead of a long-awaited top-flight return.

It was Newcastle who poached the then 20-year-old from Forest in a double deal with Karl Darlow in 2014. The duo were immediately loaned back to the Championship outfit before Lascelles stamped his mark on Tyneside during a notable debut 2015-16 season.

During the latter stages of that relegation campaign, Lascelles - a novice in the side - earned respect among supporters for delivering a bold, no-holds-barred post-match interview following a 3-1 defeat to Southampton. It was his straight-talking, bullish attitude and leadership skills that led Rafa Benitez to make the centre-back captain at 22-years-old.

There were even faint calls for Lascelles to earn an England call-up from Newcastle fans after a stellar 2017-18 campaign - when the Magpies finished 10th on their Premier League return. Sadly, however, any chance of him donning the Three Lions now seems a million miles away…

The now 28-year-old would probably be the first to admit his form has nosedived in recent times. In January, the usually-commanding defender was outjumped by Watford’s Joao Pedro as Newcastle conceded an 87th-minute equaliser. This felt like a pivotal moment for Lascelles as, less than two weeks later, his replacement - Dan Burn - was signed.

A former academy product, the Blyth-born defender continued his Brighton form to quickly become a cult hero at St James’ Park. Illness to Lascelles ahead of February’s 1-0