Newcastle United are reportedly willing to come up with an improved offer for Championship forward Jacob Murphy who has been one of their long-term targets. The 22-year-old has caught the attention of many with his eye for goal, and Rafael Benitez wants him at St. James’ Park next season as they kick-start their Premier League campaign after a gap of one year.
The Magpies had quite an underwhelming transfer window so far and Benitez’s displeasure is clearly understood. Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley has failed to perform with the similar intensity as he did last summer and if things don’t turn in their favour any time soon, Newcastle would be left with a below average side to play next season.
While scoring goals didn’t seem to be a worry for the Toon the last term with the likes of Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez scoring for fun at times, this season is expected to be different. Although top-flight football isn’t that gruelling as the Championship in terms of the number of matches, the level is high. And Benitez clearly knows the effects of starting the season slowly.
Middlesbrough had entered the competition with a weak strike force and they were sent down packing. Benitez, who has previously worked with Liverpool and Chelsea in the top-tier, knows he cannot make such a mistake. Murphy, although inexperienced, could provide Newcastle with the sudden burst of pace and finesse in the attacking third.
Murphy’s qualities are undeniable which makes it very difficult for Norwich City to let him go. Carrow Road is going through some major squad changes following a disappointing campaign in the Championship that saw them failing to even get into the playoff positions. The Canaries are going through a squad rebuilding process but they are determined to hold on to their star players.
And Murphy seems to be one of them. They have already rejected a £8 million offer from Newcastle for the striker, and Benitez is expected to come back with a better bid to force them into selling the youngster. Newcastle’s Premier League stature has understandably lured the striker who wants to join them, but it is the club that is the hurdle now.
An academy product of Norwich City, Murphy has made his way up through the ranks of numerous lower tier sides like Swindon Town, Southend United, Blackpool, Scunthorpe United, Colchester United and Coventry City before he managed to break into Norwich’s first team.
Following his easy runs in the League One and League Two tournaments, Murphy didn’t have much of a problem in the Championship either as he scored 15 goals and managed 13 assists in 50 games last season. Benitez would believe he is a genuine talent and not a one season wonder.
