Eddie Howe admits to mixed emotions over Jonjo Shelvey’s Newcastle United exit

An emotional Eddie Howe has spoken of the mutual respect he has for Jonjo Shelvey as the midfielder prepares to bring an end to his seven-year stay at Newcastle United.

The Magpies stalwart is on the verge of joining Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest after the two clubs agreed a deal on Sunday. The former Liverpool midfielder underwent a medical on Monday morning and is expected to put pen-to-paper on a two-and-a-half year deal at the City Ground.

The move sees one of the longest serving players in Howe’s squad depart and the United manager admitted there was emotion in seeing Shelvey leave the club.

He said: “I am an emotional guy behind the scenes and Jonjo is a very passionate guy. Jonjo loves football and he loves this club so there is emotion. He’s not gone yet and from my perspective I’d love him to stay but we don’t know how things will pan out in the next few hours. Certainly, the respect, the mutual respect between us is very strong.”

He continued: “Jonjo has been a huge player for this football club over the last seven years. I think he’s been a very important part of my squad since I’ve been here. Unfortunately he’s had injuries this season. Certainly, I would not want to lose him, but I have to understand, similar to Chris Wood’s situation, the player’s wishes with his contract coming to an end this summer.

“I think it would be difficult to keep Jonjo currently with where he wants his career to go. You can keep players that want to leave, but that’s not to say every player that wants to leave you can let go but I think you have to take every situation independently really and try and judge everything and just what’s be for him and the club.”

United are believed to be considering a moving into the loan market to find a replacement for Shelvey ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline with the likes of Chelsea star Conor Gallagher and Sheffield United’s Sander Berge both linked with a move to Tyneside over the last 24 hours.

Howe described the situation as ‘not ideal’ but revealed he would be happy if his squad remains as it is when the window closes just over an hour after the full-time whistle in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Southampton.

“I think we didn’t plan to do anything else,” explained the Magpies boss. I think Jonjo’s situation has come very late in the window and it’s not ideal for us. That wasn’t something we wanted to consider so it’s enabling us to see what else is out there but there’s no guarantee and if it were to shut with Jonjo leaving I would be happy.”