Beşiktaş have raised eyebrows by opening negotiations to sign Newcastle United’s 30-year-old center-back, Jamaal Lascelles according to Sabah.

The former Nottingham Forest man, a £7 million signing nearly a decade ago, has enjoyed a renaissance under Eddie Howe this season, becoming one of the Magpies’ most consistent performers. This impressive form has now attracted the attention of the Turkish giants.

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This isn’t Beşiktaş’s first foray for Lascelles. They expressed interest during the summer window, and rumors suggest the experienced defender is open to leaving Tyneside for a long-term contract elsewhere.

However, securing Lascelles won’t be a walk in the park. Newcastle, despite injury issues that saw him feature in 22 matches this season, are keen to keep their captain.

They haven’t responded positively to Beşiktaş’s initial advances, aiming to retain their defensive leader.

The Black Eagles, however, are determined to land their man. They’re hoping to bring in the Englishman for a minimal fee, possibly using his contract expiring at the end of the season as leverage.

Besiktas are able to talk directly with Lascelles as he has under six months left on his contract but Newcastle do not have to release him in January.

If Newcastle do not extend his contract then the defender will leave as a free agent at the end of the summer and would be able to join Besiktas without the Süper Lig side having to pay a transfer fee.