Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has claimed Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey will be a brilliant signing for Nottingham Forest.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, the former Arsenal hero suggested the Tricky Trees will have a fantastic player on their hands if they get a deal for the 30-year-old over the line without complications today.
“I’m a big fan of him. I think he’ll be brilliant for Nottingham Forest,” Merson said.
“They’ll have days when the crowd are going to get on their back and get frustrated.
“He stays on the ball, he’s always wanting the ball; even at Newcastle, when sometimes the crowd were on everyone’s back when he gets on the ball. I think he’ll be a great signing for Forest.”
As pictured by Sky Sports, the Toon midfielder has been spotted arriving at Wilford Lane, Forest’s training ground, ahead of his proposed Premier League switch.
Merson says Shelvey will be a great signing for Forest
From Steve Cooper’s perspective, this will be a huge addition to his squad.
The former England international has made 270 appearances in the Premier League, having played for Liverpool, Swansea and for the Magpies in the division.
At 30-years-old, Shelvey can certainly go straight into Forest’s starting XI. He still has the physicality, athleticism and technical ability to dominate the play in the middle of the park. Arguably, his skillset has been underrated by members of the media for years now.
However, from Eddie Howe’s perspective, this will be a big loss for Newcastle.
Although he wasn’t necessarily a starter every single week, Shelvey adds brilliant quality in depth to the Toon squad.
Therefore, with the player on his way, the north-east outfit will need to be swift in finding a replacement – with the transfer deadline closing at 11pm tonight.