Tottenham rival Chelsea for Jamaal Lascelles transfer

Tottenham are ready to battle it out with rivals Chelsea for Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles.

Standard Sport revealed in February that the 24-year-old is a key target for Chelsea this summer to strengthen the backline.

However Spurs are also admirers of the centre half, who impressed as captain of Newcastle this season, and are stepping up their interest.

The north London club are expected to sell Toby Alderweireld this summer after the Belgium international rejected their offer of a new contract.

Manchester United remain confident that they will agree a deal for the 29-year-old, although negotiations have stalled since Spurs began asking for in excess of £55m.

Lascelles has been earmarked as a potential replacement, although they are keen on Ajax's Holland international Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt as well.

Everton are also in the running and their new coach Marco Silva wants to agree a transfer before the World Cup.

The Merseyside club plan to make an opening bid of £30m, but it is believed it will take an offer in the region of £45m to acquire Lascelles.

Newcastle have consistently stated that they don't want to sell their prize asset and Lascelles claims he is happy to stay at St James' Park.

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But with coach Rafael Benitez uncertain of how much money he will be given to spend in the transfer market, their stance may soften should someone meet their valuation because the funds could then be used to acquire more players.