West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini appears to have been dealt another crushing transfer blow.
West Ham went into the summer with designs on signing six new players.
Pellegrini’s prime targets were believed to be striker Maxi Gomez and midfielder Andre Gomes.
But West Ham look set to miss out on both to Valencia and Everton respectively.
After selling Edimilson Fernandes – and with Pedro Obiang also for sale – West Ham want two midfielders this summer.
Plan B Shelvey’d
Pellegrini’s Plan B after Gomes was reportedly Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey (Evening Standard).
The boyhood West Ham fan played for the club as a youngster.
Apparently the Hammers saw the former Liverpool and England man as their back-up should the move for Gomes fail to bear fruit.
But that move now looks highly unlikely as well after the player himself committed his future to the Magpies.
Shelvey has no intention of moving to West Ham or anywhere else this summer.
Boyhood Hammers Shelvey wants Newcastle stay
That’s according to an interview with the club’s official website this week.
Instead he has set his sights firmly set on a positive season with Newcastle after a frustrating spell last term.
“Last season wasn’t the best for me,” Shelvey told nufc.co.uk.
“You hear a lot of people saying ‘He was rubbish last season.’ “But the truth is I got a very, very bad injury and I’m not looking for excuses, but that’s the reason why I was out.
“I took a number of injections to try and get myself to play games and things like that, but it just wasn’t to be. People wrote me off and things like that, but as far as I’m aware I’m a Newcastle United player and, until I’m told otherwise, I’ll keep fighting for a spot in this team and to show everyone how good I am.
Irony as Plan C could be Magpies teammate
“I obviously want to get myself back into the team first of all, and make sure by the start of the season that I’m back in the starting eleven and then kick on from there.”
Shelvey committing himself to Newcastle could Ironically see his teammate Isaac Hayden become Pellegrini’s Plan C.
The former Arsenal midfielder wants to move back to London to be with his young family.
And the likes of the Telegraph claim West Ham are interested.
West Ham could well face Shelvey when they take part in the Premier League Asia Trophy alongside the Magpies, Wolves and champions Manchester City in July.
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