Report: Newcastle rejects West Ham's initial £20M bid for Lascelles

West Ham United will apparently have to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer if there's any hope of luring captain Jamaal Lascelles away from Newcastle United.

Newcastle is believed to have knocked back West Ham's initial bid for Lascelles worth £20 million, with the possibility of rising to £25 million with add-ons, according to Keith Downie of Sky Sports.

However, an improved offer may not be enough to seal the deal as Downie reports that Newcastle currently has no interest in parting ways with the English defender, who attracted interest from West Ham in March.

Lee Ryder of Chronicle Live adds that Newcastle has yet to receive a formal bid from West Ham and that a deal is unlikely as Lascelles is believed to be content with life on Tyneside.

Shortly after news broke of West Ham's reported bid, Newcastle seemingly responded to the speculation by posting a picture of Lascelles in a tweet advertising the team's new away kit.

The Hammers have been busy in the weeks since Manuel Pellegrini was named manager. After co-owner David Gold ensured that the Chilean would have a significant budget for signings this summer, West Ham signed Issa Diop from Toulouse for a reported club-record £22-million fee, as well as Lukasz Fabianski, Jack Wilshere, and Ryan Fredericks.

The east London outfit is also reportedly in talks to sign attacking midfielder Felipe Anderson from Lazio for £40 million.