Transfer Rumours

Jacob Murphy bid brought to halt as Newcastle won’t pay asking price – Reports

After a week of mounting expectation that Jacob Murphy was set to sign for Newcastle, Thursday night/Friday morning has brought a reality check.

Monday saw widespread reports that Newcastle had offered £8m for the Norwich midfielder but it was rejected.

Tuesday then brought news that Rafa Benitez had insisted Newcastle up their bid to finally land a third signing of the summer.

Things escalated on Thursday morning with Sky Sports and various other media all reporting that Murphy’s representatives were talking to both Newcastle and Norwich, in order to help ease a deal through.

However, by Thursday night/Friday morning the situation appears to have got to this impasse..

Whilst the player himself, a lifelong Newcastle fan with Geordie roots, wants to make the move happen, the two clubs are still wide apart on a transfer fee.

The Northern Echo say that sources close to the player have told them that Jacob Murphy is prepared to put in a transfer request to help push the deal but that still doesn’t solve the issue of the transfer fee.

The consensus amongst the north east press is that Newcastle have made clear that they are prepared to go up to £10m but aren’t willing to go higher, whilst Norwich want £16m – though some media claim they may accept £12m as their very lowest acceptable bid.

It is all conjecture/speculation but it does seem clear that the two clubs are definitely not able to agree a price as it stands.

Interestingly, The Chronicle talk of Norwich ‘digging their heels in’ on the price they want, rather than Newcastle ‘digging their heels in’ on not being prepared to pay the asking price. Almost as though Norwich are cheating, or not playing fair.

It is pointless going on about clubs wanting ‘crazy prices’ these days, just like anything else, things are worth what somebody else is prepared to pay.

It is only 12 months since Newcastle picked up £55m for Sissoko and Wijnaldum…

Also a year ago, Newcastle picked Watford’s pocket for a price in the same ballpark as the £10m NUFC are allegedly sticking at for Jacob Murphy.

If Rafa Benitez/Newcastle do honestly see him as a 22 year old Premier League player then what is his true worth in today’s market? I would suggest definitely more than £10m.

The bottom line is that you can’t sell your house at 2017 prices and then expect to buy one at 2007 price levels, that wouldn’t be fair…

Somewhere along the line Newcastle are going to have to accept that to be able to compete on the pitch, you have to do the same off it. Failure to do the latter will simply ensure a struggle on the field.

Elsewhere, Joe Hart is now set to sign on loan at West Ham, with reports claiming that the Hammers have succeeded because they are willing to pay 50% of the goalkeeper’s wages and Newcastle were only prepared to pay 25% of them.

Like all media reports you have to treat them with some scepticism but the bottom line is that clearly Newcastle are failing to bring in players for some reason(s) and top of the list is definitely money.

Tonight Newcastle play their first friendly four weeks ahead of the new season and then fly off on Sunday for a pre-season training camp in Ireland.

Something needs to happen soon otherwise Newcastle’s Championship team will be expected to be taking on the Premier League with minimal help.