NEWCASTLE UNITED are aware of growing interest in captain Jamaal Lascelles, even if the defender is quite happy for his future to be at St James’ Park under the guidance of Rafael Benitez.

The list of clubs considering a summer move for the former Nottingham Forest centre-back has grown this season, with Everton the latest known to be an admirer as they look for greater leadership on the pitch.

Chelsea have been long term suitors and offers in excess of £30m would have to be seriously considered on Tyneside, even if there is a valuation of nearer £50m placed on him.

Benitez was asked whether he would consider selling him in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s visit from Chelsea, and he suggested that “you have to try to keep your best players”.

He then went onto claim managers do have to “wheel and deal sometimes” if they don’t have the money, which could present a different problem over the course of the summer if Newcastle owner Mike Ashley doesn’t back Benitez financially on the transfer front.

Lascelles, though, has only this season committed his long term future to Newcastle by signing a lengthy deal and he is in no rush to leave a club he first joined in the summer of 2014.

He said: “There has been a lot of talk and rumours, I don’t buy into none of it. I concentrate on my football. I am really happy. I am tied down to 2023 with my contract and as far as I am concerned I love playing for Newcastle. I just want to keep this club climbing as high as we can.”

Lascelles, speaking in an interview with Premier League Productions ahead of the visit from Chelsea, has impressed at the heart of the Newcastle defence and his performances have put him on the verge of an England call-up.

The 24-year-old said: “It has been a good season for me. Last season was positive obviously getting promotion. This was my first season in the Premier League, it was about surviving and we have done that.

“On a personal level I think I have coped quite well with world class players (in the top-flight). Everyone has had to adapt their game, I have come on quite a lot as a player and captain. I have learned a lot. I am more intelligent on the pitch than I was last season.”

It is not completely out of the question that Lascelles is included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad this summer, although it would appear injuries to those currently ahead of him in the pecking order would be needed as he has not been called up so far.

But Lascelles has shown that he can lead a group of professionals in the Premier League and help to keep them up, something not lost on Benitez who is not planning on letting him go over the summer.

The Newcastle manager said: “Some players are key players not just because they play well, also because their relationship with the others and with the fans and their influence, their character and all those other things. He's a key player for us.”

Asked if he would consider cashing in, Benitez said: “Not really. If you want to continue growing, normally you have to try to keep your best players.

“Jamaal has a great potential, but if you cannot compete or you cannot keep the level of your team, then maybe you have to sell one player to be sure that you can bring in other players.

“When people say 'wheel and deal' – sometimes you have to do it because if not, you don't have the money. If you don't have the money, the main thing is to be sure that if you sell this one for £40m, you have two at £20m who can do well, then you can be better.”

While Lascelles has still shown he can be caught out of position or make an occasional mistake, like any player, overall his displays at the top level have earned him the recognition of Champions League clubs.

Lascelles knows, though, how important Benitez is to the cause and that Ashley needs to back the Spaniard or risk wiping out the good work achieved over the last couple of years under his watch.

He said: “Hopefully the manager stays, that’s the main thing for me. Whatever direction he wants us to go, he will set the target and we will try to back it up.

“It’s massive he stays. Since he has been here he has transformed the club and city, it would be silly for us not to keep him happy and let him have what he wants.

“As players he has a lot of respect from us. Whatever he says we really do listen. When you have a manager with that sort off stature he makes you want to perform. Every time we train we want to impress Rafa Benitez.

“As players we ultimately have to cross the white line and turn in a performance. We need someone pointing us in the right direction it would be ideal for him to stay.

“The manager has big aspirations, he wants Newcastle to really push on because of its history.

“A lot of people say we should be higher than we are, we have the fan base, the players, the manager, the stadium … to kick on. Once we have got this game out of the way then we can focus on what direction he wants us to go.”