Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter to react after learning the length of Jacob Murphy’s new contract at St James’ Park.
What’s the story?
Well, to the shock of Newcastle fans below, Murphy has signed a new six-year contract to keep him on Tyneside.
Yes, six.
It’s rare to see such a significant contract handed out in football, with most clubs stretching to five-year deals at most.
However, Newcastle seem to have a thing for negotiating six-year contracts, and sometimes even longer ones.
Mike Ashley famously handed Alan Pardew an eight-year contract back in 2012, which only expired last summer.
Newcastle also tied Allan Saint-Maximin down to a six-year contract after his £16.5m arrival from OGC Nice.
That was a better use of the lengthy contract, it must be said.
Has Jacob Murphy earned it?
In our view, he hasn’t.
The £12m man shone at times last season, and really began to find some form as the 2020/21 campaign came to a close.
However, his displays weren’t good enough for him to earn such a significant contract, which will now keep him at Newcastle until he’s 32.
Yes, it does protect his value if the 26-year-old suddenly becomes a regular performer under Bruce, we suppose.
However, there’s not much to suggest he will become a consistent threat in attack for the Magpies, unless he really kicks on over pre-season.
For now, let’s see what the Newcastle fans on Twitter have been saying about the news…
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