Leeds United ‘consider’ move for player — seven months after Newcastle United transfer exit

Leeds United are reportedly considering a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Jonjo Shelvey - just seven months after he left Newcastle United.

The 31-year-old man bid an emotional farewell to the Magpies in January after spending seven years at St James’ Park. He left on good terms as he waved goodbye to the supporters during the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Southampton.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe wanted Shelvey, whose contract would have expired this summer, to stay but respected his reasons for pursuing a move to the City Ground.

“I heard of Forest’s interest and it was something that caught my eye. I went in to see the manager at Newcastle and asked if they’d let me go. I got told no at first!” Shelvey explained.

“I think he wanted to keep me around the training ground and stuff like that but I needed a fresh start and a new challenge. Luckily I’ve found a club in Nottingham Forest that was willing to come in and take me.”

However, the switch has turned into a bit of a nightmare.

The former Liverpool man has made eight appearances for Forest - including Newcastle’s late 2-1 win at the City Ground - but hasn’t played since the 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa in early April after falling out with boss Steve Cooper.

Later in the month, Cooper held a team meeting ahead of the trip to Liverpool and told Shelvey he would be on the bench for the second successive Premier League match. That provoked a furious response from Shelvey and as a result, was told to stay at home while his teammates travelled to Anfield.

Although Cooper has publicly played down talk of a falling out, Shelvey wasn’t part of the celebratory dressing room picture after the win against Arsenal last season which secured Forest’s top-flight status, despite being present at the stadium.

He also hasn’t played in pre-season and has been left out of the matchday squad for Forest’s two opening games against Arsenal and Sheffield United. It’s claimed by TEAMtalk that Leeds are weighing up a move for the former England international after losing Tyler Adams to Bournemouth.

The Whites have made a slow start in their quest to return to the Premier League at the first attempt with Daniel Farke’s side collecting two points from their opening three matches.