Jacob Murphy has endured a difficult first season with Newcastle United, and may have more competition heading into next season.
It seems fair to say that Jacob Murphy will probably not be overly delighted with how his first season with Newcastle has played out this term, with the youngster struggling to establish himself in the Magpies side since joining from Norwich City.
Having become one of the club’s most expensive signings ever at £12 million – as reported by Sky Sports – there has been a lot of pressure on the 23-year-old to make an impact this season, but he goes into the final games of the campaign still yet to fully prove himself for Rafa Benitez’s side.
Murphy has just one goal and one assist in his 19 Premier League appearances, so it should probably not surprise him too much that the Magpies have already been linked with a handful of wingers for the summer window.
Loan signing Kenedy has been linked by the Daily Mirror with a permanent move to St James’ Park, while The Sun have suggested that Newcastle are also interested in £20 million-rated Johann Berg Gudmundsson from Burnley, and the same publication also reported that Manchester City youngster Javairo Dilrosun is on their radar with his contract expiring this summer.
Murphy has not played 90 minutes for Newcastle since January, so the additions of more wide-men in the summer will undoubtedly be a concern and that should tempt the youngster to consider asking for a loan move.
It would be a gamble to let Murphy head out on loan when Newcastle have made such an investment in him, but if he falls further down the pecking order, his career could stagnate and he could find himself even less likely to repay the Magpies’ faith.
A loan move to a top Championship club could be exactly what he needs – even if it is just for six months – to rebuild his confidence and prove to Benitez that Newcastle did not make a mistake parting with an eight-figure fee to sign him.
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