Exclusive: Norwich season-ticket holder tells NUFC fans what they could expect from Jacob Murphy
Newcastle United are currently in talks to sign Norwich winger and boyhood NUFC fan Jacob Murphy, and to find out more about the England U-21 star, we've been speaking to a Norwich City season ticket holder, who's taken the time to let us know all about the 22-year-old.
So, without further adieu, here's his thoughts on the potential transfer, Murphy's strengths and weaknesses, his character and how he feels he would get on if he completed a move to Tyneside:
"He's quite a quiet guy, and I think the fans will be more gutted from the Redmond loss the other year than Jacob leaving. He's a promising player, with great potential but a lot of work to do still. Imagine he'll start for you given you seem short on wide men but for now I see him being best used as an impact sub."
"Murphy has a great turn of pace, normally pretty good with the ball at his feet and knows how to finish. As with young guys, sometimes he struggles to put a good ball in or look up early enough and can go quiet for spells in games, but Im sure he will learn, and he's definitely a worker and team player."
Whilst it's promising to hear that he has pace, good feet and can finish (three key traits for any winger), what's key to me is him being described as a 'worker' and good 'team player' - two welcome traits given we can't afford passengers in a tough season ahead.
Finally, he commented on the fee he expects Norwich to demand, his thoughts on Murphy's potential move and whether he would be a hit on Tyneside:
"At the end of the day, Id be happy with something around the £12m mark, but with him being on a 4 year deal, its well and truly in our board's hands.
"He had a standout campaign at U21s this summer. Considering he's just signed a new 4 year deal and bagged 13 goals and 6 assists last season, I think £10m is shallow (although Reading offered 300k last year!), especially since Tom Ince went for £11m and he (Murphy) is a far more well rounded player. Murphy also managed more goals than Redmond did here which says something."
"His brother Josh has generally been preferred although Jacob really did have a breakthrough year this last season. Jacob's a boyhood toon fan and having already turned down Palace, he's clearly keen."
"I think he has the potential to be a dangerous Premier League winger in time, and being a boyhood newcastle fan it could be the perfect place to nurture his talent. He'll need a good winger opposite him to shine for me, to take some of the pressure off."
"It's a tough call but for me, there's not gonna be a future for both of them at the club, but I think he'd really benefit from another championship season and so would his transfer value! Think there's definitely a push to clear up salary/make money internally due to the small financial capabilities we have under Delia."
"If I was in his shoes, I'd hold off for another year in the championship."
An interesting assessment. He's clearly highly thought of, but there appears to be a feeling that he would benefit from another year in the Championship, suggesting he would need time to become a player ready to play week in week out in the Premier League.
Now time to see if the deal breakers at Newcastle can get this one done - Murphy wants the move and so does Rafa, so it's over to you Lee Charnley!
