It is understood there is also no release clause in Shelvey’s contract which allows him to leave for a set price though Andros Townsend, another January signing, can leave for £8million.

Shelvey is settled at Newcastle, however, and a club source insisted the 24-year-old is “in it for the long haul” after becoming a high-profile capture in January. He was given the captaincy by McClaren during the absence of Fabricio Coloccini and has made 11 starts.

Newcastle remain in the bottom three under McClaren’s successor, Benitez, and are six points adrift of Norwich with an inferior goal difference.

Benitez was furious, both at half-time and after Saturday's 3-1 loss at Southampton, and has been shocked by the mental fragility of the players he inherited from McClaren.