Rangers are set to miss out on Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy as the Magpies prepare to activate a one-year extension in the player’s contract despite Ibrox “enquiries”
Talented wide man Murphy is a boyhood Newcastle fan and the club spent £12m to take the player to St James’ Park from Norwich only four years ago.
In the immediate aftermath of the move, things did not happen for the player in Newcastle and a series of loan moves to West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday would follow.
Rangers were linked with a move for the player at the beginning of this season by the Daily Record but after impressing in pre-season, Newcastle opted to keep the player around.
This season Murphy, still only 26, has proven a versatile and industrious option, impressing in a right wing-back role in patches this season with the club adamant they want to keep him around.
Manager Steve Bruce said “I sincerely hope that we tie Jacob Murphy down” only last month [Shields Gazette].
Reports in the media had suggested Murphy was set to see his current deal expire this summer but it has since come to light that the club have an option to extend the deal by another year.
The Chronicle is now reporting that Rangers have made “enquiries” regarding Murphy but claims United “will trigger” the option of another year.
That would insinuate that Rangers won’t be making a move for the player this summer as Murphy finally begins to establish himself with the club he loves.
Whilst Murphy might not make it to Ibrox this summer, Rangers announced their second pre-contract signing ahead of next season this week, much to the delight of fans.