Jonjo Shelvey's Newcastle future in doubt after injury blow

Jonjo Shelvey is stuck in Newcastle contract limbo, needing to start TWO MORE games to trigger a one-year extension… but he’s out injured until February and his club want to sign Jorginho or Youri Tielemans, leaving his future in doubt

  • Jonjo Shelvey needs to play two more games to earn his contract extension
  • But the 30-year-old midfielder is going to be sidelined for up to eight weeks
  • Eddie Howe wants to strengthen in the midfield area during the January window
  • Chelsea’s Jorginho and Leicester’s Youri Tielemans are on the club’s shortlist
  • Younger options include Khéphren Thuram and Kouadio Koné, both 21

Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey still needs to start two more matches to earn a one-year contract extension, leaving his future at the club in doubt.

The 30-year-old is sidelined for up to eight weeks with a calf injury and has only six months to run on his current deal.

Shelvey now faces a race against time to trigger his additional 12 months, given the form of Eddie Howe’s side and the club’s search for players in his position this January.

Jonjo Shelvey’s Newcastle future is in doubt after he suffered a calf injury that will likely keep him sidelined until the end of February

The former England midfielder needs to play twice more to trigger a contract extension

The former England playmaker had expected the conditions to be satisfied in the early weeks of this campaign after returning for pre-season in eye-catching shape. Howe rates him highly and he would have been a probable starter back in August.

However, a hamstring injury ruled him out until October and he has made one start in the Carabao Cup and three substitute appearances in the league since then. 

It will likely be late February by the time he returns from his latest setback and that could leave the club with a decision to make as to how best to manage his contract situation.

By then, Newcastle are likely to have added another midfielder to their squad. 

Head coach Howe, sporting director Dan Ashworth and recruitment chief Steve Nickson are drawing up a shortlist of targets, and we understand that includes Chelsea’s Jorginho.


Chelsea’s Jorginho (left) and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans (right) are among Newcastle midfield targets for January

Khéphren Thuram of Nice (right) would be a younger alternative for Newcastle’s midfield

Kouadio Koné of Borussia Monchengladbach (left) in action against Dortmund this season

The Italian, 31, has six months left on his deal and the Blues are reluctant to negotiate fresh terms. 

That has alerted Newcastle, with insiders seeing the rationale in bringing in a player of experience in a deep-lying role, especially if a relatively minimal fee could be agreed.

Leicester’s Youri Tielemans has long been a target and remains of interest, but younger names are also in the frame. 

France Under-21 midfielders Khéphren Thuram, of Nice, and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kouadio Koné – both 21 years old – have been given glowing reports by Newcastle’s scouting department. Chelsea are also keen on that pair.




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