Jonjo Shelvey set for shock return to England and Newcastle close to loan exit
A promotion-chasing Championship side could be set to add a former Newcastle United captain to their squad in a surprising January move.
It's been a quiet start to January for Newcastle and many other Premier League sides, but Toon fans with a soft spot for Jonjo Shelvey will be intrigued to see where he appears to be heading this month.
Jonjo Shelvey set for return to England?
According to Football League World, Burnley are closing in on the signing of Jonjo Shelvey as they push to seal an immediate return to the top flight.
They report that Shelvey has been spotted at Burnley’s Gawthorpe Training Ground ahead of the Clarets’ FA Cup clash with Reading and looks set to join Toon target James Trafford at Turf Moor.
Shelvey, who departed Newcastle in 2023 after seven years at the club, initially left for Nottingham Forest and was released by Turkish side Eyupspor last week, making him available on a free transfer.
Burnley manager (and fellow former Newcastle midfielder) Scott Parker may be looking to Shelvey’s experience in the Championship promotion race.
In that 2016/17 season, where Shelvey was instrumental in helping Rafa Benitez’s side bounce straight back up from relegation as Champions, the Englishman recorded five goals and nine assists in 42 appearances.
Now a free agent, Shelvey faces a race to be registered in time to be eligible for Burnley’s game on Saturday afternoon, with the FA imposing a 12pm deadline on Friday for squads to be confirmed.
Hayden closing in on another loan move
Shelvey isn’t the only familiar face who could be moving to a Championship club this window.
According to reports on the south coast, former teammate Isaac Hayden is close to completing a loan move to Portsmouth.
Other Championship sides are thought to be keen, but it's believe the 29-year-old looks set to spend the second half of 2024/25 at Fratton Park along with Matt Ritchie!
Hayden won't be reuniting with Elias Sorensen, however, as the ex-Toon striker has already left for Norwegian side Vålerenga after struggling in the Championship.
