Report: Rangers still interested in signing Newcastle attacker in January window

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The Chronicle have claimed that Rangers are still interested in signing Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy after initially being linked back in the summer – but Murphy has other plans.

The 25-year-old winger returned from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in the summer and has emerged back into Steve Bruce’s plans. Somewhat in and out of the side, he has clocked up 11 appearances in all competitions.

In that time, the £12million (Sky) signing has scored two goals and created two more. A decent return for a player who has been used as a wing-back by Bruce at times – in a side that are more focused on remaining solid.

The ex-Norwich star has a contract at Newcastle until the end of the season, worth £25,000 a week (Spotrac). Non-English sides can arrange a pre-contract deal with Murphy from January 1, signing him on a free in the summer.

That is perhaps why Rangers are interested in nabbing the England Under-21 international and the Chronicle claim Rangers continue to want Murphy – but the player himself is keen on signing a new Toon deal.

TBR’s view – Future unsure, but Newcastle must strike new deal

The last thing Newcastle will want is to wave goodbye to a player who is only 25 years of age, for nothing. Whether Murphy has a long-term future at The Toon remains to be seen, but losing the player on a free would be poor.

Getting Murphy signed up until 2023, 2024 or similar would give Newcastle time to breathe. If clubs then want to sign Murphy, they can do so by offering Newcastle a fee for the versatile winger. It may even put Rangers off.