Everton are now keen to sign Jacob Murphy from Newcastle as David Moyes aims to improve his attacking options.
It remains to be seen if Jack Grealish returns to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer, while Moyes does not seem to be a fan of Tyler Dibling after handing the 20-year-old just four starts in the Premier League last season.
It was Keith Downie of Sky Sports who claimed Everton want Murphy – and if a deal does materialise, it will come with the approval of former Toffee Anthony Gordon.
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Jacob Murphy to Everton has already been given seal of approval by Anthony Gordon
The Everton academy graduate made 90 appearances alongside the 31-year-old at Newcastle, with the pair combining for six goals, and absolutely loved sharing a pitch with him.
As quoted by iNews after Murphy assisted Gordon in a 3-0 win over Benfica last season, the England international said: “He’s so underestimated as a player, honestly. He can do absolutely everything any winger can do in the Premier League and I don’t know why he’s so underestimated.
“I love playing with him.”
A deal for Murphy – who Newcastle spent £12m to sign from Norwich back in July 2017 – could be quite cheap for Everton, considering he has now entered the final 12 months of his contract.
However, it is a fairly underwhelming link for Everton fans.
Murphy only started 50% of Newcastle’s 38 Premier League games last season – scoring just three goals – and would carry little resale value for the Toffees too at the age of 31. The man born in Wembley turns 32 in February.
The signings of young talents in Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George represented an exciting approach from Everton, but signing Murphy would be a clear move away from that recruitment strategy.
Everton fans also won’t be too enthused by the fact Newcastle have already upgraded on Murphy with the £43m signing of 20-year-old wonderkid Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim, who was actually linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton signing Murphy after that development would suggest Newcastle are the ones showing ambition, while the Toffees are simply content to take cast-offs from their rivals.
How excited are you by Everton’s signing of Tyrique George on a permanent deal? Can he really kick on now after his loan?
The deal is now official, with the Toffees paying an initial £18m, with £6m to come in potential add-ons… ✅
Newcastle only finished one place above Everton last season in 12th on goal difference, so it would be incredibly disappointing to see the Magpies kick on, only for the Toffees to be content with keeping their head above water.
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