Bizarre Jamaal Lascelles to Besiktas update emerges that will anger Newcastle United

Besiktas are reportedly asking Newcastle United to offload captain Jamaal Lascelles on a free transfer.

Club officials are understood to have flown into Tyneside to thrash out terms ahead of a January move. Lascelles has been Toon captain since 2016 but is behind Sven Botman and Fabian Schar in the pecking order.

Injuries gave Lascelles a chance to shine earlier this season but, once Botman returned, Eddie Howe dropped his skipper back to the bench. The 30-year-old has less than six months remaining on his current deal and there has been little talk about an extension.

Speculation regarding a possible move to Besiktas has ramped up in recent weeks, with foreign clubs allowed to open negotiations about a possible summer move. But the Black Eagles are hopeful of hurrying his Newcastle exit and getting him over the line this month.

The defender’s contract situation means the Magpies could only demand a nominal fee. Lascelles arrived nine years ago in a £7million double deal so his transfer fee has been amortised as far as Financial Fair Play is concerned.

But an update from Turkish reporter Yagiz Sabuncuoglu claims Lascelles has been asked to tell Newcastle he wants to leave on a free. A tweet read: “Jamaal Lascelles and his representatives are at the Newcastle United clubhouse (training ground). Lascelles, whose contract will expire in six months, asked for permission from his club to go to Besiktas for free.”

Losing Lascelles would leave Howe with Dan Burn, who primarily plays at left-back, as the only backup centre-back on Tyneside. Paul Dummett, another veteran out of contact in the summer, has deputised in central defence but when called upon.

Lascelles has racked up almost 250 appearances for Newcastle since arriving from Nottingham Forest in 2014. Should he leave this month, the skipper will be best remembered for leading the Magpies to promotion under Rafa Benitez before establishing United as a top-flight club.