According to a recent report by the Daily Record, Premiership giants Rangers are said to be eyeing up a possible summer move for the services of Newcastle United’s English winger Jacob Murphy. The report suggests that Steven Gerrard currently possesses a list of potential targets and that Murphy is one of the names on that comprehensive list. While it has been claimed that the Magpies’ primary objective is to acquire more midfielders to fill in the spaces in the middle of the park, adding another winger certainly wouldn’t be the worst idea either.
Although the report has clarified that Rangers want Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy this summer, whether or not they actually end up going for him could be determined by external factors. The primary requirement for this deal to happen would be for Gerrard to cash in on one of their fringe wingers, Brandon Barker, Jamie Murphy or Jordan Jones, in an attempt to make space for any incomings. Furthermore, while the player is still keen on making his effect felt in Tyneside, the Magpies staff are said to be ready to offload the speedster instead.
What Is Rangers’ Current Situation In The Wide Areas?
The Ibrox club has used the summer transfer window so far to address a variety of concerns all over the pitch. While the signings of names like Leon Balogun, Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe have all been confirmed over recent weeks, it was the permanent acquisition of Romanian winger Ianis Hagi that Gerrard secured first during this transfer window.
Although the trickster has been at the club for less than one full season, it’s safe to say that the attacker has earned a place for himself in the gaffer’s starting eleven. Despite not putting up the best of performances over the past couple of weeks, it’s unlikely that Hagi will be dropped from the side anytime soon.
Hagi’s exploits down the flank have been quite commendable, and the fact that he can switch sides with his opposite number and be just as effective comes as an added bonus. Across on the other side, Ryan Kent has also been tearing things apart for the Gers in the attack. Not only did the former Liverpool man score the Bears’ only goal on the opening day of the season, but he managed to find the net in the recent win against St.Johnstone as well. Although these two players are unlikely to be displaced, the Ibrox club’s lack of quality alternates could become an issue over due course.
What Makes Jacob Murphy A Good Option For Rangers?
The Newcastle United man was initially a product of the Norwich City youth system, which is where he first made a name for himself. Having come through the ranks at a decent pace, the Englishman finally made a permanent switch to Newcastle in 2017, on the back of a flurry of loan moves all over the country. The speedster is a right-winger by trade but is more than capable of operating on the opposite flank if required.
Despite not being the strongest player in the world, Murphy offers good balance and dribbling skills, while he also tends to be a strong crosser of the ball. The attacker’s most recent loan stint was at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, where he picked up a decent return of nine goals and nine assists from 39 outings.
Rangers Want Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy This Summer: Should Gerrard Go For It?
The wings haven’t necessarily been an area of concern for Gerrard’s side so far this season, but an untimely injury to either Hagi or Kent in the coming weeks could leave a gaping hole in the Gers’ front-line. Although the likes of Brandon Barker and Jamie Murphy are available, they haven’t shown nearly enough during pre-season or training to warrant a first-team berth, which is why signing an alternative might not be the worst idea.
The speedster has only one year remaining on his contract at Tyneside, which means that this summer could present the Toon club the last opportunity to try and recuperate some of the money they paid for him three years ago.
