West Ham have opened talks with Newcastle United to sign Jonjo Shelvey in a £12million deal this month, according to the Express.
The newspaper claim that the Hammers have held positive discussions in recent days with their Premier League rivals about a deal that would take the 25-year-old back to his native London.
The Express report that Newcastle are not willing to let the deep-lying playmaker depart without securing a replacement first, while West Ham are also interested in Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, Watford’s Etienne Capoue, Anderlecht’s Leander Dendoncker and Stoke’s Joe Allen.
It is said that West Ham manager David Moyes is keen to bolster his central midfield options and has not been put off by the £80,000-a-week wages needed to seal a deal with Shelvey.
The six-time capped England international is renowned for being a brilliant passer of the ball from the middle of the park and has started 11 of his 16 league matches this season.
He his first goal in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Luton Town on Saturday, but has already missed five games through suspension.
Good move for West Ham?
Just about, yes. Shelvey is a richly talented player who can put the ball on a sixpence, and possesses the kind of playmaking ability absent among the central midfielders currently in the West Ham squad. But he is something of a gamble, due to a flawed temperament that has robbed him of the trust of Rafael Benitez following a string of controversial red cards in recent seasons. Nevertheless, he should mature as he grows older, and has the ability and confidence to be an asset to West Ham.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Shelvey is a regular at Newcastle, but he is far from the fulcrum of the team, as his talent suggests he should be. Given his London links, Benitez’s need to raise transfer funds this month and West Ham’s desire for a central midfielder approaching his peak years, this deal is very possible.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10