Manuel Pellegrini’s summer signings as West Ham United largely look to be working out for the Chilean as he looks to embed a new philosophy at the London Stadium. Indeed, the likes of Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop and Lukasz Fabianski are performing well and the recent addition of Samir Nasri may just be an inspired move if his performance against former club Arsenal was anything to go by.
The Nasri signing may not be the only addition the Hammers make during the January transfer window. While much of the attention naturally centres around Marko Arnautovic and his proposed move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG, both the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard have recently suggested Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey could be a target.
A boyhood West Ham fan, the 26-year-old was said to have been a target for the Irons should Pedro Obiang move to Fiorentina as Pellegrini plots a potential mid-season reshuffle.
However, an exclusive run by our sister-site Football FanCast has revealed that the East London outfit aren’t currently keen on a move for Shelvey. Talented as he may be, the former Liverpool man isn’t thought to be on their radar at the moment and Newcastle can breathe a sigh of relief amid their relegation fears.
The Verdict
Few would doubt Shelvey’s ability, though the fact that the report claims the club could prioritise a move for a striker given the Arnaoutovic situation makes more sense. The Austrian’s goals will undoubtedly need replacing and the Hammers will want to finish the campaign strongly ahead of what needs a better season next year, so going cold on Shelvey is a good idea.
