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West Ham are reportedly set to land the signing of boyhood Hammer Jonjo Shelvey from Newcastle in the summer, having failed in an attempt to sign the midfielder in January as reported by The Sun.

What’s the word, then?

The England international has slipped significantly down the Magpies pecking order this season, and now sits fifth in Rafa Benitez’s midfield options out of Sean Longstaff, Mohamed Diame, Ki Sung-yeung and Isaac Hayden – Shelvey featured for the Under-23 side on Friday night and hit the winner against Fulham.

The former Liverpool and Swansea star has made just eight Premier League starts for the Tynesiders this season, and Benitez has said that he is finding it hard to accommodate the 27-year-old in his squad.

The Spaniard said: “He’s somebody who is keen to be involved so that is positive.

“Then we have the same problem though. There’s still 24 players available and 18 places in a squad.”

Shelvey hasn’t featured since the start of January, and looks extremely likely to make the £20m switch to the London Stadium with the Hammers keen to get a deal done.

The perfect compliment to Declan Rice

Mark Noble is currently enjoying another season in the Irons’ first-team, making 21 league starts this season alongside the man of the moment, Declan Rice.

However, the pair are fairly similar in the industrial work they do off the ball, both proving to be fine tacklers and difficult opponents for the opposition to get past.

Having said that, it could be argued that they are too similar, and that a more creative option would be better placed alongside the outstanding Rice.

Shelvey is renowned for his long-range passing ability, and ability to dictate the play from deep in a midfield two whilst also getting his name on the score sheet on the odd occasion.

Additionally, the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Samir Nasri and Javier Hernandez would all see a lot more chances fall their way should Shelvey be deployed alongside Rice in the middle.