Here is your latest 4am Newcastle United transfer digest.
Lascelles claim
Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has been forced to settle for a bit-part role this season, with his only Premier League start coming in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in August. Now, Football Insider claim Nottingham Forest are looking to re-sign the centre back this summer.
Steve Cooper's side have already completed moves for Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Wood in January, and are reportedly now looking to add a third recruit from St James' Park. Lascelles is approaching the final year of his contract with the Magpies, and his lack of game-time this season raises inevitable questions over his future in black-and-white.
The report outlines Lascelles, along with Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis, and Matt Ritchie will all be allowed to leave in the upcoming window. Eddie Howe is said to be considering a move for a new centre-back in the summer.
Franca contract extension
Matheus Franca is a name which has repeatedly been linked with the Magpies in recent months. Newcastle were said to have failed with a January approach in the region of £17.5 million for the Flamengo attacking midfielder.
Now, Fabrizio Romano claims the Brazilian club have 'reached an agreement' to extend the in-demand wonderkid's contract. Crucially, this would raise the release clause to a staggering sum of around £176m.
Given Newcastle's reported reluctance to raise their recent offer, the impending new contract could scupper the deal being revived in the near future for the 18-year-old. Franca has already made 33 senior appearances for Flamengo, netting seven goals in the process.
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