Newcastle midfielder in line to become highest paid Championship player in history – report

Tue 12 April 2016 2:51, UK

By North-east correspondent Harry Sykes

Jonjo Shelvey is still in line to pick up his £80,000-a-week salary even if Newcastle are relegated to the Championship next season, according to a report.

The Telegraph claim there is no clause in the midfielder’s contract that he is to be hit with a wage cut in the event of relegation.

This means that the former Swansea player is in line to become the highest paid player in Championship history if Newcastle fail in their bid to maintain their top flight status.

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The Telegraph say Fulham midfielder Scott Parker earned £75,000 a week last season, but Shelvey is on course to beat that.

Shelvey was recruited from Swansea in January for £12million on a lucrative five-and-a-half-year deal and his wages would be a heavy burden for the club in the second tier.

But it is now being claimed that the England international wants to stay at St James’ Park should the Newcastle decline end with a place in the Championship.

Newcastle are in the bottom three and six points adrift of Norwich with an inferior goal difference.

The Magpies have six league games left to save their top flight credentials, but have suffered back-to-back defeats to Norwich and Southampton in recent weeks and have been unable to gain any momentum under new manager Rafael Benitez.

Mission impossible: Benitez has started his reign with three defeats and a draw in the league

Benitez took over from the sacked Steve McClaren in March but has collected just one point in four league games.

The Sun claim that the club’s hierarchy would be willing to do a deal with Shelvey if he wanted to leave.

Shelvey has reportedly rejected that offer and is committed to honouring the agreement he signed in January.

In other Newcastle news, a report has claimed that the Magpies are already looking for a replacement for Benitez.