Glasner Targets Right Wing-Back Reinforcement
Nottingham Forest are trying to get a deal done for Jacob Murphy before Tuesday’s deadline. The 31-year-old is in the final year of his Newcastle contract, and that’s putting pressure on both sides to sort something out fast. For Newcastle, this is close to the last chance to get a fee for him before he can start talking to other clubs for free next summer.
Murphy’s situation has changed a lot. He hasn’t started a Premier League game this season, coming off the bench in both fixtures so far. Anthony Elanga’s been in good form on the right, which hasn’t left much room for Murphy to break back in. Compare that to last season, when he racked up 23 goals and assists in 41 games. Nothing close to that this time around.
Glasner’s tactical switch is really what’s driving Forest’s interest here. Since moving to a back three, he’s been after more competition at right wing-back, and reports from The Telegraph put Murphy among three names on his shortlist for the role. Murphy’s versatility helps his case too. He’s played midfield and even right-back during his time at Newcastle, so he fits what Glasner’s looking for.
It hasn’t been an easy start for Forest either way. They lost to Leeds in the opener, then went out of the Carabao Cup to the same team a few days later. Things picked up slightly against Liverpool, where they grabbed a point at Anfield. Add in the loan exit of Dilane Bakwa to Lille earlier in the window, and there’s a real gap out wide that Murphy could help close.
Whether the deal gets done in time is still up in the air. Both sides seem keen, though, which is usually a good sign.
Competing Interest Adds Late Twist
Forest aren’t the only club in this. Everton have been keeping tabs on Murphy too, and David Moyes reportedly had a word with him during pre-season. That interest hasn’t disappeared just because Forest have picked up the pace. Crystal Palace were in the conversation earlier in the window as well, though they seem to have moved on to other targets since.
Newcastle’s asking price isn’t making things easier. Earlier reports had them wanting somewhere around £20-25 million, which felt like a stretch for anyone trying to get a deal through this late. Whether that number’s come down given how little Murphy’s played this season is anyone’s guess, but his contract clock is working against Newcastle’s leverage.
From Newcastle’s side, it’s a fairly simple call. Sell now and they get money for him. Wait, and they risk losing him for nothing once he can talk to foreign clubs in January, or getting nothing at all next summer. Jaissle’s got plenty else on his plate, with Nico Gonzalez’s £50 million move from Manchester City taking up a lot of attention, but these exits still need wrapping up before the 11pm cutoff on Tuesday.
Anyone keeping an eye on how this plays out for both clubs can follow it on KCPredict’s transfer news hub, which is updating through deadline day. Sky Sports and others are also tracking the wider scramble as clubs rush to get business done before the window shuts. Wherever Murphy ends up, it sounds like we won’t be waiting long to find out.