Leeds United is interested in signing Newcastle United wing-back Jacob Murphy. The 26-year old, a product of the Norwich City academy, moved to the Magpies in 2017 from the Canaries.
As per Football Insider, several clubs are keen on signing the 26-year-old, and Leeds United are one among them. Premier League sides Burnley and Southampton, as well as recently promoted Watford are also in the race to sign the Englishman, while Scottish champions Rangers also have an eye on him.
The report claims that Jacob Murphy could be available for as little as £3 million in the summer transfer window.
His current contract with Newcastle United expires next summer and the Magpies want to offer him a new deal. Murphy has made 70 appearances for Newcastle United in all competitions, scoring four goals and assisting six times.
Jacob Murphy – A good option for Leeds United?
Jacob Murphy has had his best season for Newcastle United this season as he has flourished in his new right wing-back role. The former Norwich player was moved from a more attacking role to the wing-back position by manager Steve Bruce, and it has been a success so far. Murphy has been a solid player for the Magpies this season, scoring twice and assisting twice in the league.
A versatile player capable of playing out wide on both wings, and now at wing-back/full-back, Murphy is quick, likes to take on opposition defenders and motor forward at every opportunity. He has also shown that he is a tenacious tackler at the back, averaging 1.6 tackles per game in the league this season.
Leeds United and Burnley reportedly considering a move for #NUFC winger Jacob Murphyhttps://t.co/FwbVEWqFmT pic.twitter.com/9RSsz0A7dn
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) May 16, 2021
Jacob Murphy could be a good addition to the Leeds United squad, which will need strengthening and refreshing ahead of the 2021-22 season to help them push higher up the table.
The Whites have had an exceptional first season on their return to the Premier League, but their squad is a little thin and may need at least two or three more faces to keep them competitive.
Murphy could be a backup option to Luke Ayling who has been Leeds’ first-choice right-back this season and has done well. Ayling has started all 36 games for Leeds this season, which shows his importance to the side.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa’s other options at right-back are Stuart Dallas – who has played centrally in recent months, and youngster Jamie Shackleton, who has barely featured this season.
Right-back is the only position where Bielsa doesn’t have useful backup players to call upon, which is why Leeds should pursue Murphy. The Newcastle United player’s ability to play as a wing-back is an added bonus as Bielsa has employed a three/five-man defence previously. A move for Murphy could work out financially and on the pitch for the Whites.
