According to The Sun, Watford will make a £6 million move for Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy this summer one year after Derby County wanted to sign the winger.
Murphy spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
His form at Hillsborough attracted the attentions of several other Championship clubs last summer, including both Derby County and east Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.
TEAMtalk claim the Rams eyed a loan deal for the 26-year-old winger. Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, however, ultimately opted against it and kept him on Tyneside this term.
Murphy has gone on to make 12 Premier League starts this season, but his future with the Magpies is back under the spotlight as his contract expires in the summer of 2022.
The Sun claim Burnley and Watford are keen to sign him, with the latter set to bid £6 million which is around half the total fee Newcastle signed him for back in 2017.
Watford have made an immediate return to the Premier League alongside Norwich City, and the duo will set their sights on establishing themselves as top-flight regulars.
Derby, meanwhile, may look back on regret at missing out on Murphy nine months ago.
The Rams have struggled enormously this season, as they sit just four points above the relegation zone while holding the tag as the lowest scorers in the Championship.
A lack of creativity and substance in the final third has been a major problem all season.
Kamil Jozwiak has struggled to have an impact. Tom Lawrence has spent most the season out with injury, while Martyn Waghorn has ultimately had a season to forget.
A player of Murphy’s ilk could have made a huge difference for Derby and failing to bring in that quality in the final third could yet see the Rams drop into League One.
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