Newcastle United are hoping to agree a new contract with Jacob Murphy with Rangers and Southampton hoping to sign the now-£6 million-rated winger, as reported by the Sun.
Not so long ago, this one-time Norwich City youngster was on the outside looking in at St James’ Park, frozen out of the first-team and forced to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan for some much-needed game-time.
But after tearing the Championship apart at Hillsborough, Murphy returned to Tyneside a man on a mission; desperate to make his mark at long last in the black-and-white stripes of his boyhood club.
Job done.
Murphy is one of the first names on Steve Bruce’s team sheet these days – albeit in an unfamiliar right-wing back role.
He set up a late equaliser against Aston Villa before firing home a stunner in the vital 2-1 win at Burnley recently too.
No wonder Newcastle want to keep him, then.
The Sun reports that, with just over a year left on his contract, the Magpies are planning to offer Murphy a new deal once they have secured their Premier League status for another season.
This comes after Southampton and Steven Gerrard’s Scottish champions Rangers expressed an interest. Burnley, who witnessed Murphy’s match-changing qualities first hand at Turf Moor, are also keen, as are newly-promoted Watford.
Fortunately for Newcastle, Murphy bleeds black and white. You would think that the Magpies fanatic would choose to stay put, every day of the week.
“I sincerely hope that we tie Jacob Murphy down. He’s been a big plus this season after spending a couple of years [out] on loan,” Bruce told the Shields Gazette a few weeks ago.
“He’s played a big part in the season. He’s had, for him, a really good season where he knows now that he belongs in the Premier League.”
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