According to the Daily Telegraph, Newcastle are serious about taking Jonjo Shelvey off Swansea’s hands. £10million serious.
It’s being reported that Steve McClaren is closing in on a deal for Shelvey, who is “desperate” to leave the Swans after falling out of favour. Crystal Palace are also said to be interested.
The Toon boss is apparently looking into signing Burnley striker Andre Gray, despite him having already played for two clubs this season.
Shelvey began the season in impressive form but has since been demoted to the bench after losing his edge. The England international also clashed with a fan during Sunday’s FA Cup third round defeat to League Two Oxford United, visibly telling the supporter to ‘meet him in the carpark’ afterwards.
It’s a shame as there’s a decent, salvageable player in there somewhere, but a distinct lack of consistency (when he’s off form he can look amateur-level clueless) always seems to result in Shelvey flitting in and out of the first-team picture.
Still, £10million in the back pocket for a fringe player ain’t bad business, which is a damn sight more than we can say for Newcastle.