Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce says he plans to take a look at reported Derby County target Jacob Murphy before making a decision, the Chronicle report.
The speedy winger signed for Newcastle from Norwich City for £10 million in 2017.
But after initially breaking through under former Toon boss Rafa Benitez, Murphy has since fallen out of favour on Tyneside and joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan last term.
(Photo by Ben Early/Getty Images).
Now, according to TEAMtalk, Derby have joined the Owls and a host of other Championship clubs keen on taking the 25-year-old on loan this season.
Commenting on the reports, Bruce admits he is undecided on his future.
I know Murphy had a really good spell at Sheffield Wednesday last year and did very well. They think the world of him. He did very, very well and would like him back, that’s fair to say. I’m just going to take my time with him and have a look and see what the next step is for him, because he has had a successful loan in the Championship last year. We’ll see what he does over the next two or three weeks in particular.
Derby wanted to sign Murphy in 2019 in the January transfer window:
A report in the Daily Mirror claimed then manager Frank Lampard was keen to sign the winger to strengthen the club’s push for the playoffs, but a deal never materialised.
Murphy is capable of playing on ether flank. Blessed with pace and trickery, he posted nine goals and four assists in 24 Championship starts for the Owls last term.
Derby will be desperate to add more quality out wide this summer.
(Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images).
So far in pre-season, Mason Bennett and Florian Jozefzoon have been brought back into the fold but neither have shown consistent quality during their time at Pride Park.
With Murphy’s contract expiring in 12 months, he represents an exciting opportunity. Derby, however, aren’t the only club chasing his signature.
Also see: Report: Club value Derby target at £4m as the Rams eye a summer deal
Also see: Report: Derby closing in on defender deal, talks ongoing