Everton 'to launch £30m Jamaal Lascelles bid'

Everton are reportedly preparing a £30m bid for Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles.

Lascelles, 24, was somewhat surprisingly overlooked by England boss Gareth Southgate for his 2018 World Cup squad despite an impressive 2017-18 season at Newcastle.

Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the centre-back, but according to The Sun, Everton are preparing a £30m offer as new head coach Marco Silva looks to boost his backline.

Lascelles scored three times in 35 appearances for Newcastle during the 2017-18 campaign, and has made over 100 appearances for the Magpies since a move from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2015.

Everton have also been linked with a move for Stoke City attacker Xherdan Shaqiri, who recently revealed that he would be leaving the Potters this summer following their relegation to the Championship.