Nottingham Forest want to re-sign defender Jamaal Lascelles during the summer transfer window, according to transfer guru Dean Jones.
The journalist told Give Me Sport that there is a possibility of the 28-year-old making an emotional return to the City Ground.
Lascelles left Forest in 2014. He headed to St James’ Park alongside Karl Darlow; with Fawaz Al Hasawi accepting bids for both players.
The centre-back has become one of the country’s very best defenders during his time at Newcastle.
He is currently the club captain and a few years ago he was being tipped as an England star in the making from some quarters.
Lascelles will have two more years to run on his contract in the summer but the Magpies could choose to get rid of him.
Newcastle have a newfound wealth and the Reds could look to take advantage of their desire to offload him.
Lascelles has made 211 appearances for the Magpies; scoring 13 goals during his time at the club.
During 2021/22 he’s hardly been considered a regular by Eddie Howe, making his 24 appearances with just 20 coming in the starting eleven.
Jones has been discussing the Newcastle defender and he told Give Me Sport: “I think there’s a possibility that he goes to Forest, maybe. I think there will be a few clubs interested in signing him.
“High-end Championship, low-end Premier League is probably where he will be looking.”
Forest want Lascelles but signing looks unlikely
The Reds will be facing a losing battle to sign Lascelles not least due to his excessive wages.
Lascelles earns £55,000-a-week at Newcastle and at 28 he will fancy recouping a similar package elsewhere.
Forest might have a slight sniff of securing a deal for their former defender but only if they emerge victorious through the play-offs and win promotion.
For now, signing Lascelles looks somewhat unrealistic despite the fact that he’d undoubtedly be a decent signing for any Championship club.
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