Leicester City set to beat Birmingham City in transfer race for Newcastle United man | OneFootball

Jamaal Lascelles looks set to depart St James' Park for Leicester City

Leicester City are set to fend off interest from rival Championship sides as they look to bring in veteran centre-back Jamaal Lascelles from Newcastle United.

This is per Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett, who states that the 32-year-old has "been given permission to discuss a substantive move to the King Power Stadium."

Lascelles has spent over a decade at Newcastle since he made the switch from Nottingham Forest in 2014, but has had limited chances in recent seasons due to a long-term ACL injury in 2024 and the presence of multi-million-pound defensive options brought in following their Saudi Arabian-based takeover in 2021.

Despite this, the influential centre-back has stuck around at his current club, where he remains a popular figure. But with his contract up in the summer, the 32-year-old looks set to be on his way ahead of the transfer deadline at 7pm.

And, with as many as six Championship sides reportedly throwing their names in the hat to bring Lascelles in, it's emerging that Leicester will be the side to advance in talks.

Leicester City close in on Jamaal Lascelles

According to Sky Sports' Transfer Centre on deadline day, Newcastle have permitted Lascelles to advance in talks with Leicester over a permanent move.

It's no secret that the managerless Foxes need some stability in their back line this month, as they currently possess the third-worst defensive record in the Championship, having not kept a clean sheet in the league since September.

Interim manager Andy King had to watch on as their defensive availability worsened during his first game in charge against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, after Caleb Okoli was dismissed inside the opening 15 minutes for dragging down Miles Leaburn on the break.

However, that availability is set to be given a big boost, as Lascelles looks set for a switch to the King Power Stadium.

Lascelles was a man in high demand this January, with Leicester joining Birmingham City and four other rival Championship sides in the pursuit of the 32-year-old, according to a report from Alex Crook on Saturday.

The Foxes are advancing in that race, and the former Championship-winning centre-back may be making his return to the second tier for the first time since that 2016/17 campaign shortly.

Jamaal Lascelles will be a shrewd signing for Leicester City

Lascelles has played just 19 minutes of senior football over the past season-and-a-half. When available, he's often left out at St James' Park. However, there's a reason that Newcastle have kept him around the club for all this time.

The 32-year-old is a leader and someone who can lift a squad, even if he isn't actually involved on the pitch. Lascelles has remained the club captain over recent seasons, even with his lack of game time.

Any Championship squad could do with his capabilities and leadership, but none more so than Leicester, who have been leaking goals all campaign, and have been outworked by supposed 'lesser' sides at home over the past week in Oxford United and Charlton.

The Foxes need a commanding presence at the back, and the 32-year-old would provide that. It may not be the most eye-catching signing of the window, but it's one that will go a long way towards stopping Leicester's current slide down the Championship table.