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West Ham United have been confirmed as the bookmakers’ favourite to sign Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in January, Football Insider is reporting.

Ladbrokes have priced West Ham at just 11/4 to snap up Shelvey with Southampton (20/1), Swansea City (25/1) and Tottenham Hotspur (25/1) trailing behind.

The Hammers have been strongly linked with the 25-year-old for a while and it is believed that Rafa Benitez wants to sign a replacement in central midfield before sanctioning this move.

The sporadic England international has been identified by David Moyes as a top target as he looks to bolster his central midfield options this month.

Shelvey, who transfermarkt rate at £9m, was a boyhood West Ham fan and is reportedly keen on this move.

The Irons have also considered a number of other players, including Stoke City’s Joe Allen, Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker and Harry Arter of Bournemouth.

But Shelvey looks like he is Moyes’ number one target as he has plenty of Premier League experience from his time with Liverpool and Swansea City and he is also a good passer of the ball.

Newcastle are ready to let the former Charlton Athletic man go so that they can fund moves for other players and now the bookies have installed West Ham as his most likely destination.