West Ham United are considering January moves to sign Newcastle United midfielders Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey, according to ExWHUemployee while speaking on the West Ham Way podcast.
The Hammers insider understands that Irons head coach David Moyes is looking to strengthen the core of his side at the London Stadium during the January window, and has considered an array of options from around Europe.
Reports by the Daily Mail recently suggested that SL Benfica’s Gedson Fernandez, Stoke City’s Joe Allen and KRC Genk’s Sander Berge were among the Hammers’ January targets, with Moyes keen to sign a midfielder that can establish himself quickly at the London Stadium.
Jack Wilshere’s continued plight with injuries has made midfield reinforcements a priority for Moyes, who adopted a squad from Manuel Pellegrini in December that heavily relies on Declan Rice and Mark Noble in the centre of proceedings.
West Ham – who are currently struggling in 16th place – considered moves for Hayden and Shelvey while Pellegrini was at the helm last summer, when the Toon pair were considered as potential alternatives to Andre Gomes after the Portuguese decided to join Everton from FC Barcelona.
The Irons instead opted to sign Villarreal’s Pablo Fornals for £24million, though the Spanish forward has made little impact in East London with just one goal and one assist in 19 Premier League games, of which 12 have been starts.
Hayden and Shelvey were said to have been £15m targets for West Ham in 2019 as they could boost the Irons’ homegrown quota, though no moves for either meant they have been able to play a key role in Steve Bruce’s squad at St. James’ Park.
Shelvey has started 13 of his 19 Premier League appearances, captained the side on five occasions and scored a team-high five goals. Hayden, meanwhile, has opened 17 of his 18 top-flight outings to date, recorded a team-high 41 successful tackles and the second-most interceptions with 25.
Who would we miss more?
Hayden
Shelvey
Prior reports coming out of West Ham had claimed that talks with Benfica over a deal for Fernandes had stalled, though it has since been claimed that an agreement between the East London and Liga NOS sides has been agreed in principle.
Fernandes is expected to join the Hammers on an 18-month loan without an obligation to purchase after the Irons put forward a £33m clause for the end of the terms, with Benfica’s hierarchy due to discuss the final conditions of the 21-year-old’s move on Thursday.
West Ham faced competition from Chelsea in the race to secure Fernandes’ signature, but Benfica preferred the Irons’ offer as the £55m obligation-to-buy in the Stamford Bridge outfit’s bid was dependent on the Portugal international playing at least 50 per cent of all matches during the 18-month loan period.
Should the Hammers prove successful in their efforts to sign Fernandes, and perhaps one of their other alleged targets, ExWHUemployee’s claims of renewed interest in Hayden and Shelvey may not come to fruition and the pair can remain a key part of Bruce’s plans at St. James’ Park.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are claimed to be working on a deal to sign a £5.4m-rated defender this month.