With the news coming out yesterday that Jonjo Shelvey is likely to be out for at least three months following surgery on his hamstring, we are wondering how this will affect Howe’s transfer window.
This will have come as a huge blow to Eddie Howe and especially Shelvey himself who returned to pre-season training in the best shape of his career and seemed ready to kick up another level only to be forced off the pitch in a friendly against Benfica.
So now the question is, with Shelvey out of action for longer than expected, what will this do to Eddie Howe’s transfer plans? Will it accelerate his plans to bring in a midfielder? Will it change the type of midfielder he wants to bring in? Will he want to bring in an extra player above the two he’s already said he wants before the window shuts? Or will he throw Elliot Anderson into the fray earlier than planned?
One thing it might do is force the club’s hand when it comes to negotiations. Being a player down for such a long time adds a layer of desperation to the club’s business which could see them having to loosen the purse strings slightly and bend to the will of a selling club to ensure they get someone over the line.
With reports that Newcastle are looking to go back to Leicester with a third bid for James Maddison, it would seem that now may be the time to cough up what they’re asking and bite the bullet.