West Ham have been linked with Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey for a January move for the second time in 12-months. With the midfield already limited for options, Shelvey would be welcomed but it looks like there will be an offloading to make money and way first.
Sampdoria or Lille now? Pedro Obiang seems to be all but gone already after not impressing with his chance in the first team and not pushing to make it back into the starting XI. The rumor has him linked with a return to Italy but Lille of France’s Ligue 1 has also entered the race for the Spanish/Equatorial Guinea player.
The fee is pretty solid at a rumored £10m which should be enough to immediately replace him in the team with a new recruit. There is already a target in mind as Jonjo Shelvey was absent from the Newcastle squad for this weekends match fuelling the fire that he’ll be coming home to the Irons.
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He is from Romford and apparently has supported West Ham as a child. Shelvey also recently bought a house in the area suggesting he may be invested in returning home for more than just for a summer break.
The swap would be ideal for West Ham as Obiang has essentially invited a move back to Italy, enticing teams to come in for him like his former club Sampdoria. West Ham should be encouraged by Lille also entering the race to sign him as it may increase the bidding between the two clubs. Also, West Ham transfer target Thiago Maia plays for Lille and could perhaps become more expendable should Obiang sign in France over Italy.
As for a player vs. player comparison, the Hammers are essentially swapping a very talented tackler that tends to go missing from time-to-time for a terrific passer of the ball who also can slump with his performances. Shelvey’s current manager Rafa Benitez plays a more defensive style of football with a simple target man offense up top.
With a switch to Pellegrini, who likes to play the ball up the middle of the pitch and support it with in-cutting wingers, Shelvey could have a better opportunity to make an impact and push for valuable first-team football. Pellegrini also has shifted to a 4-2-3-1 formation that could accommodate Shelvey in a defensive or attacking midfield position.
Obiang always had promise but has become a passenger player in recent seasons, picking up injuries and not pushing to make it back to the starting XI. West Ham need players who are going to ignite positional battles between each other and Shelvey would certainly provide this.