Everton set transfer sights on Newcastle United captain

With their pursuit of Yerry Mina looking like a dead end, and Marcos Rojo being a fool’s errand to begin with, it appears that Everton have come up with a better idea when it comes to signing a new starting center back.

The Guardian’s Ed Aarons reports that the Blues have an eye on Newcastle United’s captain Jamaal Lascelles.

The 24 year old is coming off a season that saw him play over 3000 minutes and contribute 3 goals. Lascelles is, as the kids say, an “absolute unit” in the air, and fairly nifty with the ball at his feet, too.

The Newcastle captain’s profile - young, but experienced - fits the mold of what Everton need to be doing with their signings, and have accomplished so far with Lucas Digne and Richarlison.

Marco Silva’s high line requires both pace and intelligence, which Lascelles would provide. Phil Jagielka reads the game well, but can’t run. Mason Holgate is probably the fastest player on the team, but needs to work on his reaction times.

Ordinarily, it would be nigh on impossible to pry a physically imposing, talented, young defender off another Premier League club, particularly when the player is team captain. This is Newcastle and Mike Ashley, though, and they can rarely say no to cold, hard cash.

Of the defensive options rumored so far, Jamaal Lascelles is by far the best. Everton don’t often move quickly, but on this deal, they should.