Newcastle transfer news: Jamaal Lascelles asks to leave Eddie Howe's Newcastle

Unfortunately for the Geordies, most of the Newcastle transfer news in the last few days has involved players leaving the club. While Eddie Howe is confident about signing a few new faces before the window comes to a close, the harsh reality is that we must sell before we can buy.

This leaves Eddie Howe in a tough position of deciding which players he must make walk the plank. But that job could've just been made a little bit easier, as Jamaal Lascelles has handed in a transfer request.

Well, not an official request, but if news from Fanatik is to be believed, then it's as good as. The Turkish outlet claims that due to Besiktas still being interested in signing the Newcastle captain, he has asked if he can leave to pursue this, joining fellow England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Newcastle transfer news: Jamaal Lascelles asks to leave Eddie Howe's Newcastle

Given the problems that Newcastle have in their defence, this would be a big blow to lose an important defender. While hs isn't the first name on the team sheet, it has been proven this season that Lascelles is still capable of stepping in and doing a job as and when necessary.

However, Lascelles asking to leave the club is an understandable move. From the player's perspective, he is nearing the final few years of his career and he would like to move somewhere he is guaranteed first-team football. Not only this, but he is out of contract next summer and if Eddie Howe signs more defenders, then he will only fall further down the pecking order.

In my opinion, this sale is a no-brainer for Eddie Howe. He needs to sell players as mentioned, so now is the time to part ways with Lascelles, who has been an excellent captain at St James Park.

What do you make of today's Newcastle transfer news involving Jamaal Lascelles?