Rangers are eyeing a transfer swoop for Newcastle United player Jacob Murphy but face competition from Southampton and Watford, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Murphy signed for the Magpies from Norwich City for £12m in the summer of 2017 [Sky Sports] and has since made a total of 65 appearances, while also representing both West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday during loan spells.
He has been a winger for the majority of his career but has been given extra defensive responsibility by current Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, with many of his 24 appearances in all competitions this season coming at wing-back.
Murphy scored in a win over Burnley on Sunday but isn’t tied to a long-term deal and it seems that several clubs have sensed the potential for a bargain swoop.
O’Rourke claims that Rangers are interested but that Premier League side Southampton and Championship outfit Watford are also keen.
This isn’t the first time the Gers have been linked with the 26-year-old, either.
Initial links emerged in the summer and the Chronicle claimed in December that Steven Gerrard still had his eye on Murphy.
It can be difficult for Rangers to compete with the salaries on offer in the Premier League and even at some Championship clubs, while there’s also no guarantee that Murphy is looking to leave Newcastle.
However, the prospect of Champions League football at Ibrox next season could be a major draw for an ambitious player and the Gers have lacked a natural right-sided wide man since the departure of Daniel Candeias in the summer of 2019.
Meanwhile, Rangers have hammered Celtic and scored an impressive off-field victory.
