Eddie Howe is now open to Jonjo Shelvey leaving Newcastle United in the January transfer window if the Toon receive any offers. The midfielder has only had a backup role this term.
That is according to ESPN, which reports Howe has no pressing plans to let players leave St James’ Park next month. But the Magpies head coach will not stand in the way of those on the fringes if they wish to target pastures new and potential suitors make suitable offers.
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Shelvey has been on Tyneside since January 2016 when Steve McClaren paid Swansea City £12m. Newcastle later extended his contract from 2021 to 2023 in May 2020 with a £70k-a-week deal. His terms also included a one-year extension, which he triggered in this October.
Howe is ready to let Shelvey leave Newcastle in the January transfer window
Per the Mirror, Shelvey only needed to feature three times during the 2022/23 season to activate a one-year extension. He has so far turned out five times in all competitions after playing the final two minutes of the Toon’s EFL Cup win over Bournemouth this Tuesday.
Four of Shelvey’s appearances so far this season have come from the bench, totalling 122 minutes, too. Just 34 of his minutes have come across three Premier League games. Howe started Shelvey in the Magpies’ EFL Cup third-round win over Crystal Palace in November.
Howe was without Shelvey for the first three months of the campaign whilst the midfielder recovered from a hamstring injury. He sustained the issue during the Tyneside outfit’s pre-season friendly with Benfica in July. Shelvey would not return to the bench to October 16.
While the 30-year-old is now fit and raring to go when Newcastle’s Premier League season resumes at Leicester City on Boxing Day, Shelvey remains down Howe’s pecking order. So, the Toon boss would not oppose the six-cap England international now seeking a transfer.
Shelvey should still have a lot to offer in some teams’ engine rooms in 2023
Any club seeking an experienced technician for their engine room, then, could look toward St James’ Park in January. Shelvey astounded Mikel Merino with his skill on the ball during the Spaniard’s time with the former Liverpool midfielder at Newcastle from 2017 to 2018.
“I was so amazed by his ability to play long passes,” Merino told Chronicle Live. “The way he would shoot from outside the box and everything about how he used to play because he’s not a really fast or physical player, but he’s so smart.
“Jonjo can compete a lot, so it was a good year and I learned a lot in training when I had to compete against him and give my all. He’s a very aggressive player, so it was a year where not only him, but the whole team taught me how to be a tough man.”
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