Wolverhampton Wanderers considering move for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles?

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles as a potential January signing.

In a bid to move Wolves outside of the Premier League relegation zone, recently-appointed head coach Julen Lopetegui is being given licence to make a wide array of additions.

At the turn of the year, Matheus Cunha left Atletico Madrid to move to Molineux, while the West Midlands outfit confirmed on Friday evening that they had signed Nice midfielder Mario Lemina.

If reports are to be believed, Joao Gomes and Pablo Sarabia will also soon join from Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

That will leave Wolves to focus on trying to secure the services of an experienced central defender, it already known that a bid has been lodged for West Ham United defender Craig Dawson.

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Hammers boss David Moyes revealed on Friday that the offer in question had not been accepted, but Dawson would not face Wolves in their top-flight fixture on Saturday.

While it appears that Dawson is Wolves' priority defensive target, Football Insider says that Lascelles is also on their radar.

The Englishman has been contracted to the Magpies since 2014, making a total of 221 appearances in all competitions, but he is no longer regarded as first choice.

The 29-year-old has made just four starts and three substitute outings this campaign, featuring for only 108 minutes in the Premier League.

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With Lascelles still the club captain, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe may wish to retain the services of the long-serving player, who still has 18 months remaining on his contract.

However, cashing in on the former Nottingham Forest man would represent a way of boosting Newcastle' position with FFP as they consider their own targets.

The report adds that Lascelles is valued in the region of £8m by Newcastle, significantly higher than West Ham would demand for Dawson who has less than six months left on his deal at the London Stadium.

As it stands, Nathan Collins, Max Kilman and Toti Gomes are the only three senior central-defensive options in Wolves' squad.