Newcastle United have told Jonjo Shelvey that he will not be leaving the club this January, despite interest from West Ham and Fulham, according to the Mirror.
The 26-year-old midfielder has been linked with a moe away from Tyneside this month, with the Hammers reportedly keen to buy, and the Cottagers eyeing up a potential swap deal involving out of favour playmaker Tom Cairney.
It is understood, however, that manager Rafa Benitez is not interested in selling the player, capped six times by England, and is instead focusing his efforts on keeping his current squad together.
Shelvey is currently in Barcelona seeking treatment for a thigh problem.
OPINION
Shelvey is at the centre of so much of the good work that Newcastle do, and keeping hold of him is a must if the Magpies want to stay in the Premier League. The playmaker is a master of the deep-lying quarterback role, and has a vision and range of passing that few in the top tier can match. Being a graduate of the Charlton Athletic academy, it’s no surprise that Shelvey is routinely linked with a move back to the capital, but the player himself seems content, and he is highly thought of on Tyneside. The Toon Army are struggling for goals this season, and Shelvey has issued large parts of it, but when he gets back to fitness, and when he finds a bit of rhythm, he could be vital weapon in their arsenal as they prepare for the inevitable scrap for survival that will come in the next few months.
