Leicester and Birmingham City in 6-team chase for Newcastle United veteran | OneFootball

An experienced Premier League operator could be on the move to the EFL before Monday's deadline

Leicester City and Birmingham City are among six Championship clubs who have turned their attention towards Newcastle United for a transfer deal that could strengthen their squad before the window closes on Monday evening.

The Foxes have endured a disappointing campaign since being relegated from the Premier League last term, and sit just 16th in the second tier after being beaten 2-0 by Charlton Athletic on Saturday under the watch of interim boss Andy King.

Meanwhile, Blues are also in the bottom half, but are just five points below the Championship play-off places, thanks to this weekend's 2-0 victory at Oxford United.

Birmingham have already flexed their financial muscles in the transfer window, acquiring the likes of Carlos Vicente, who was playing in the Spanish top flight for Deportivo Alaves, and also Scandinavian striker August Priske, showing that the money is there for Chris Davies' side to make a move towards the play-offs.

Leicester City and Birmingham City in multi-club battle for Jamaal Lascelles

As the business end of the Championship season approaches, six second-tier clubs have eyed a move for Newcastle United stalwart Jamaal Lascelles.

The centre-back has suffered a lack of game time in the North East in recent seasons, amid the presence of top-class defenders such as Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw, while he has also endured injury issues.

As reported by talkSPORT's Alex Crook via X, six Championship sides, including Birmingham and Leicester, are keen on a move for Lascelles.

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the Northern Echo that the 32-year-old could leave the Magpies on transfer deadline day, having not appeared for the club since September in a Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

A muscle problem kept Lascelles out of contention for matchday squads earlier in the season, and he has not been part of one since November.

Birmingham City can bolster play-off push by signing Jamaal Lascelles

Lascelles has fallen down the pecking order at Newcastle, having previously featured as one of the North East outfit's star players.

He was a vital asset for the Magpies when they won the Championship title in 2017, and went on to become a key leader for them in the Premier League.

His rich experience, which includes making five Champions League appearances in the 2023/24 campaign, would make him an ideal acquisition for all the second-tier clubs who are interested in his services, but he would of course have to prove his fitness, having barely played football this season.

The 32-year-old could be a particularly strong signing for Birmingham, who are vying to clinch back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

His rich experience in the English game could complement fellow defenders Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann, who have spent the majority of their respective careers in Germany - but there's clearly a lot of competition for his services.