Besiktas have made a formal offer for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles according to Turkish football journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.

Sabuncuoglu claims the Black Eagles have made an official offer.

Newcastle, already reeling from endless injuries, face a new headache, the possibility of losing their captain to Besiktas.

Letting anyone go seems ill-advised, yet financial pressures whisper otherwise.

Lascelles’ resurgence, filling the void left by injured Sven Botman, has complicated matters. He might not fit future ambitions, but his present value is undeniable.

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The situation screams of a damned-if-they-do, damned-if-they-don’t scenario. Keeping Lascelles means limited financial flexibility, selling him weakens an already fragile squad. The January stress, ever-present in Newcastle, only intensifies.

The 30-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, unless Newcastle extend his current deal he will leave as a free agent in January.

Besiktas want him now which would mean having to pay Newcastle a transfer fee.

The Black Eagles have had a torrid season but have recently steadied the ship and are building for the next campaign. Strengthening the defence is a priority and Lascelles has been identified as a key target.

Besiktas are currently 4th in the Super Lig and while a top two place looks out of reach they are very much still in the running for a third placed finish which would guarantee European competition football.