Deadline day signing Jonjo Shelvey has admitted he had to “plead” with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe to let him leave for Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder penned a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Reds before the January transfer window closed last week. But it was a move which almost didn’t happen.
Initially, Howe had been reluctant to sanction Shelvey’s departure - not least because he felt a replacement would be needed first. The 30-year-old was determined to get his way, however, and eventually managed to convince the Magpies manager to let him sign for Forest.
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“He actually did say no. He said he couldn’t let me go at first,” explained Shelvey, who was limited to five appearances for Newcastle this season due to a combination of injuries and falling down the pecking order at St James' Park.
“I sort of pleaded with him to let me go, which a lot of people don’t know. He said he would sleep on it, and he said he could only let me go if they could get one in.
“I just said I needed to leave for a fresh start and put my points across. The next day, he pulled me in and we had a little chat, and he granted my wish.
“He just said that he wouldn’t stand in the way of my happiness. It was a decision I had to make for football reasons, but not only that, a big thing was for my family and their future as well.
“It was, first of all, football, thinking about myself, coming away and playing games, and feeling part of it a lot more. It’s been a tough season. If anyone knows me, they know I just love playing football. I just love training and playing, and I just felt I needed a fresh start.”
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