Newcastle should join PL rivals and Celtic in race for John McGinn

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Newcastle are likely to be active in the January transfer window.

There is no doubt that Newcastle United midfield maestro Jonjo Shelvey boasts huge talent when in possession of the football, but there are other areas of his game that require attention.

Although Rafa Benitez is known for his ability to get the best out of players, it simply has not happened with England international Shelvey. His discipline, motivation, and work off the ball have not improved under the Spaniard’s stewardship.

Now, The Sun claim the former Liverpool midfielder can leave Newcastle for £10million, with both West Ham United and Crystal Palace said to be interested in the ball-playing midfielder.

If Benitez can raise said funds, he will need a replacement in the middle of the park despite boasting Mikel Merino, Henri Saivet, Isaac Hayden and Mo Diame. It should see Benitez take a risk and join the race for Hibernian star John McGinn.

McGinn, 23, has just 18 months remaining on his current contract at Easter Road and the Daily Mail claim both Scottish champions Celtic and West Ham are interested in the five-time Scotland international.

Playing every single minute of Hibernian’s Scottish Premiership campaign expect from one match due to a yellow-card suspension, McGinn has impressed as a box-to-box midfielder north of the border.

His style in the middle of the park is quickly growing rarer, but McGinn has shown fans just how effective having a player such as himself can be. Crucial in defence, McGinn has also scored four goals and added four assists this term.

Quoted by the Mail, Hibs director Leeann Dempster has claimed the club will “consider” offers for their midfield star, which has alerted both Celtic and West Ham. But surely he is the perfect replacement for Shelvey at St. James’ Park?

His goals will give the Toon an added attacking dimension from deep, while his burgeoning reputation will only continue to grow when surrounded by better players and coming up against quality opposition.

McGinn’s transfer fee will be far smaller than a £10million sale of Shelvey, if such a transfer does occur. In a move that will give Benitez money to spend elsewhere, Newcastle would be adding the perfect replacement in McGinn if Shelvey does leave.