by Exclusive: Leeds ask Nottingham Forest about Jonjo Shelvey deal as Cooper makes feelings clear on sale
Leeds United are considering a move for out-of-favour Nottingham Forest midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, sources have told TEAMtalk.
The Championship side have been beset by multiple departures since their relegation with 12 players departing the club since their relegation from the Premier League. And after clearing the exit of Tyler Adams to Bournemouth, in a deal worth an initial £23m, Daniel Farke’s side are in the market for reinforcements in their engine room.
The Whites have started the season with summer signing Ethan Ampadu and 17-year-old academy graduate Archie Gray in the centre of the park. And while the pair have both performed extremely well, Leeds are badly short of recognised central midfielders.
As well as Adams, Leeds have also lost Adam Forshaw, Weston McKennie and Marc Roca as central midfield options this summer.
Indeed, so light are Leeds on numbers that they could only field seven substitutes – two of which were goalkeepers – in Friday’s 1-1 draw against West Brom at Elland Road.
As such, Leeds are understood to be considering a move for 31-year-old Shelvey before the window closes. Sources have told TEAMtalk that Nottingham Forest are open to offers for the former Liverpool man, despite only signing the midfielder from Newcastle in January.
Shelvey was not named in the squad for Forest’s opening two games of the season after missing the final seven games of last season following a bust-up with Reds boss Steve Cooper.
Having made eight appearances for the Tricky Trees since his move, it is widely expected that Shelvey has played his final game under Cooper.
Forest are planning to offload a number of players this summer as they look to balance the books and trim the squad; we can reveal that Shelvey is one of the players they are looking to sacrifice.
As such, Leeds have been alerted to Shelvey’s potential availability and they are exploring a deal for the six-times capped England international.
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