Chelsea and Tottenham target Jamaal Lascelles 'very happy' at Newcastle

Chelsea and Tottenham target Jamaal Lascelles says he’s happy at Newcastle and is at the ‘right club at the right time’.

The 24-year-old defender was made captain by Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park almost two years ago, and has impressed as the Magpies secured a top ten finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

Both Spurs and Chelsea are in need of defensive signings this summer. Manchester United are confident they will reach a deal for Toby Alderwiereld this summer, though the top target in north London is Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt, while the west Londoners are keen to lower the age of their back line.

However, Lascelles insists he’s happy at Newcastle and says he remains focused on taking the club ‘back to where it belongs’.

“This is the happiest I’ve been," he told Chronicle Live. “I’m playing week in, week out. And I’m the captain here, the fans love me, and I’ve got a good relationship with them because I love them. And we’re doing well, too.

“I’m very happy here. You hear things, you hear rumours and stuff, but I’m a young player and I need to be playing football at a good club – and that’s what this is.

“Overall it’s been an unreal season as far as I’m concerned, both for me personally, and more importantly for the club.

“This is the right club for me at the right time. We have a huge fanbase, an amazing manager, and this club is massive. It has so much history.

“As captain, I want to see how far we can go – and potentially take it back to where it belongs.”