OPINION
There will likely be some movement in Newcastle United’s central midfield corps this summer, with uncertainty surrounding the middle of the pitch at the moment.
Mohamed Diame is out of contract at the end of the season, while there has long since been major uncertainty over Isaac Hayden’s future. The player who could be off, though, is Jonjo Shelvey.
The Sun reported earlier this month that West Ham United are plotting a summer move for the England international. However, that’s not the only reason why his days on Tyneside appear numbered.
Australian outlet The World Game reported recently that Rafael Benitez’s side are in the hunt for Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy, who would likely cost £15million this summer.
If the Aussie international ends up at St James’ Park then that would surely signal an end to Shelvey’s tenure with the club. He is the Magpies highest earner on £70,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], and swapping him out for Mooy would certainly be beneficial for the team’s wage bill.
That will appeal to owner Mike Ashley, of course, while Benitez has never seemed to warm to Shelvey. Mooy, though, has the look of an ideal Benitez player.
He is a hard-working, technical midfielder who would slot in nicely to the Newcastle midfield. Pairing him with young Sean Longstaff would create an exciting central midfield partnership.
Obviously there are several other teams in for the 28-year-old and so he will be difficult to bring in, but Newcastle clearly have quite the need for a central midfielder like Mooy.
Going for the Terriers star would be a smart move, that’s for sure, but it could end up with Shelvey departing the north east. Would the Magpies fans be happy with that?
