BREAKING NEWS: Jonjo Shelvey joins Newcastle from Swansea
Published:
Holly Thackeray | January 12, 2016
Magpies swoop for Swans star Shelvey
Newcastle United have completed the signing of midfield schemer Jonjo Shelvey from Premier League competitors Swansea City on a five-and-a-half-year deal, with the fee for the playmaker believed to be around £12m.
The 23-year-old is now the Magpies’ second signing of the winter window and will link-up with fellow fresh face and Senegal international Henri Saivet, who was plucked from French club Bordeaux for an undisclosed fee.
Shelvey’s move away from the troubled Swans has surprised many, after the attack-minded midfielder was instrumental in the Welsh club’s excellent early season form, even earning a recall to the England national team.
Though, a sudden slump in the Liberty Stadium side’s performances resulted in the sacking of manager Garry Monk and Shelvey has struggled for minutes under interim replacement Alan Curtis.
Perhaps, with Euro 2016 squad places in mind, it makes for the midfield plotter to move on, but it is still a strange decision by the struggling Swans (10/3 with Coral to return to the Championship) to sell a prize asset to a direct relegation rival in Newcastle (8/13)
Newcastle planning for survival push
As for Steve McClaren’s men, the Tynesiders have now added two midfielders to their ranks in Shelvey and Saivet, as they seek to refresh their roster for a survival push.
The England string-puller should certainly come in handy at St James’ Park, where the Northeast outfit have been drawing blanks, and could dovetail nicely alongside Dutch dangerman Georginio Wijnaldum.
Promising poaching pair Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic require slicker service, which a motivated Shelvey can certainly provide, and the former Liverpool and Charlton Athletic conductor should please a passionate Toon Army in need of a homegrown hero.
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