West Ham are taking no prisoners in the transfer market this summer and continue to be linked with defensive reinforcements.
Manuel Pellegrini has already secured deals for Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, while a move for Corinthians defender Fabian Balbuena is poised to be completed imminently.
However, the Hammers continue to eye further defensive recruits and widespread speculation as claimed Pellegrini is keen to land Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles.
The Magpies are determined to keep their skipper though and Rafael Benitez insists he is unaware of any interest in the 24-year-old, while insisting he has no intention to sell.
Quoted by The Chronicle, he said:
“We don’t want to sell him. He was a key player for us last year and he has to be this year and for a long time to come in the future.”
“The reality is that we don’t want to sell Jamaal. He is a key player for us and leader.”
“We are happy with him. No [I am not aware of interest in Lascelles]. I saw it on TV but we are not thinking of that.”
“We are just thinking of how to improve him on the pitch.”
