West Ham United were heavily linked with Newcastle United duo Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden in the summer.
According to the likes of The Daily Star, Hayden and Shelvey were Manuel Pellegrini’s top targets after he missed out on Everton-bound Andre Gomes.
Hayden was said to have had a gentleman’s agreement with Newcastle to allow him to move if a London club came in for him.
And West Ham were keen to take advantage to provide support for Declan Rice.
West Ham wanted Newcastle duo
The Sun reported that West Ham would finally land boyhood Hammer Shelvey after several unsuccessful attempts to sign him in the past.
In the end, though, West Ham signed neither as owners David Sullivan and David Gold sanctioned a paltry £25million net spend.
And my how the Hammers could do with both players right now.
Shelvey and Hayden shone as Newcastle beat West Ham 3-2 at the London Stadium on Saturday.
In truth the scoreline flattered West Ham. The Magpies could have been 5-0 up at half-time.
Shelvey and Hayden passed West Ham audition with flying colours
Key to the victory was the job Shelvey and Hayden did on Rice and Noble in the heart of midfield.
Their dominance forced Noble off and allowed the brilliant Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron to terrorise the West Ham defence.
Shelvey, a former West Ham academy player, was the fulcrum of the Newcastle win and showed his free-kick prowess with the all-important third goal from fully 30 yards out.
Pellegrini must renew interest in January
Shelvey was only back in the side due to Sean Longstaff’s suspension.
And Hayden is understood to remain keen on a return to London.
So both players could still be available in January.
West Ham could solve two big problems by signing the duo in January.
Whether owners David Sullivan and David Gold make the money available remains to be seen.
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