Jonjo Shelvey has revealed that he was blocked from joining the Hammers in the summer transfer window.

It is known that he is admired by manager Manuel Pellegrini and had been regularly linked with the club throughout the summer and indeed the one previously.

Whether he would have been a decent signing or not is now immaterial but with his injury record there were several voices inside the club speaking against the move.

Eventually of course Pellegrini decide to invest in Pablo Fornals who, despite a slow start to his Premier League career, looks a player who is going to make a serious impression eventually.

Confusion over Rafa Benitez’s future at Newcastle whilst involved in a reported stand off with chairman Mike Ashley over transfer budgets  may well have contributed to the decision to keep Shelvey at St James’ Park and he is now seriously involved in continuing his career in the North East.

Speaking to the Guardian, Shelvey admits that despite being born in East London, he is still happy in the North East and is content on fighting for his spot under Steve Bruce.

The £70,000-a-week midfielder [Spotrac] struggled for consistent game time under Rafael Benitez last season but said: ”

“I was close to leaving but the club said ‘no’. I’m happy here, I love living in this city, I’ve never once stated I wanted to leave.”