Rangers are still interested in signing Jacob Murphy (Getty Images)
According to The Chronicle Live, Rangers are still interested in signing Newcastle United star Jacob Murphy in January, having failed to get a deal over the line for the winger in the summer.
The 25-year-old’s existing deal at St. James’ Park is due to expire at the end of the season, leaving the door open for the Gers to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Murphy next month.
However, the report (h/t Chronicle Live) adds that Newcastle want to keep hold of Murphy and the player himself is open to discussing a new contract after re-establishing himself as a key player under Steve Bruce.
Murphy, who joined Newcastle from Norwich City for a fee of £12million back in the summer of 2017, made 25 top-flight appearances for the Magpies in his debut season. However, he managed only a solitary goal to show for his efforts and found himself down the pecking order under former boss Rafael Benitez in the following campaign.
The former England U-21 international was loaned out to West Brom in the Championship for the second half of the 2018-19 season and spent the entirety of the previous campaign on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in the second tier. Murphy, though, has been reinstated in Newcastle’s ranks by Steve Bruce this term, with the player excelling in a new right wing-back role.
Murphy has started 5 PL fixtures for the Magpies so far, whilst making two substitute appearances, and has contributed with a goal and an assist. His impressive run of form has prompted Newcastle to weigh up a new contract but Rangers are still very much alert to the opportunity of agreeing a free transfer for the versatile star.
Rangers negotiating a pre-contract agreement with Jacob Murphy in January would be a real coup as they aim for greater heights under Steven Gerrard. The 25-year-old has proven his quality in the EFL Championship and while he has often struggled to deliver the goods in the Premier League, the drop-off in intensity north of the border would surely bring the best out of him.
Rangers are currently pretty well-stocked in the wide areas. Ryan Kent remains an undisputed starter down the left while summer recruit Kemar Roofe has established himself as a key player at Ibrox, usurping Ianis Hagi in the pecking order.
The Gers, though, can certainly look for some quality alternatives in that department. The likes of Greg Stewart and Brandon Barker have offered very little while Jordan Jones has also been frozen out of the mix after violating Covid-19 regulations. The potential arrival of Murphy, to that end, would represent an upgrade on some of the wide attacking options at Ibrox.
Having established themselves as the favourites in the race for the domestic crown ahead of arch-rivals Celtic this season, Rangers need to keep adding more quality to their ranks moving forward.
Given his experience in English football and the versatility to operate on either flank, Jacob Murhpy would undoubtedly be a bargain for the Gers on a free transfer. Having said that, Gerrard using his pulling power to convince the player to move to Ibrox could be an absolute game-changer for Rangers in the coming seasons, if it clicks of course.