West Ham want to sign Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey – but it could cost them around £15million, according to The Sun.
Shelvey is waiting to hear whether he is wanted at St James’ Park next season and the Hammers are ready to pounce should the Magpies be willing to offload the 27-year-old.
The midfielder has found himself down the pecking order under Rafa Benitez and has made just 16 appearances this season as Newcastle fought successfully against relegation to retain their Premier League status for another year.
Benitez himself is to sort out his own future on Tyneside with his contract about to expire and is set for showdown talks with owner Mike Ashley.
Throughout the season, the former Liverpool boss has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the club’s lack of ambition and a reluctance to provide funds in order to strengthen the squad.
Shelvey will have to bide his time until the uncertainty over Benitez’s future is resolved or he will have to wait until a new manager is appointed should the Spaniard walk away.
The midfielder is understood to be wanting to remain at St James’ Park and has two years remaining on his current contract.
The six-cap England international is a boyhood West Ham fan though having grown up in East London and even spent time in the Hammers academy as a youngster.
Manuel Pellegrini wants to enhance his squad at the Olympic Stadium this summer and sees Shelvey as an ideal partner for Declan Rice in midfield.
Should Newcastle be willing to depart with the Romford-born player, they will want no less than £15m.
Shelvey completed his first full 90 minutes since October in the final day game against Fulham and even scored in a 4-0 win for the Magpies.