EXCLUSIVE: Middlesbrough in loan tussle for unwanted Newcastle man

Neil Warnock

Middlesbrough have enquired to neighbours Newcastle about Jacob Murphy’s availability on loan but a host of clubs are also looking at the winger, TEAMtalk understands.

The 25-year-old spent this season at Sheffield Wednesday, after playing for West Bromwich Albion in the latter part of the 2018/19 campaign.

Murphy joined Newcastle from Norwich in 2017 for £12million but he has never fulfilled his promise. Now, TEAMtalk understands he now looks set for another spell away from the club.

Magpies boss Steve Bruce is ready to let him secure another loan move away, in order to free up space and money for other transfer business.

Wednesday want the player back, whilst a host of Championship rivals such as Derby, Stoke and Nottingham Forest have shown an interest.

However Boro have now thrown their hat into the ring to land London-born Murphy.

Indeed, Boro boss Neil Warnock signed Jacob’s twin brother Josh for Cardiff in 2018 so is well aware of his attributes. The Bluebirds marksman was involved in eight Championship goals this season.

Newcastle’s Murphy scored nine goals and assisted six others for Wednesday last season as the Owls finished 16th in the Championship.