After losing a host of key talent during the last summer transfer window, Newcastle United have turned their attention to building for the future rather than landing on ready-made replacements.
The hierarchy spent a pretty penny in the market to soften the blow of high-profile departures, with the average age of additions just 20 years and six months.
New boss Matthias Jaissle is clearly tasked with helping the youngsters progress, but their path to success could be blocked by one player at St James’ Park.
Why did Newcastle make a huge mistake not to sell Murphy?
As part of the club’s recent ability to challenge at the top of the Premier League, winger Jacob Murphy has been instrumental in the success on the right side of the attack.
However, there comes a point when a player achieves all he can on Tyneside, and the 31-year-old certainly falls into that category of late.
He is struggling to replicate his best performances but was still the subject of numerous transfer offers from Nottingham Forest in the last summer window.
The Magpies have had two separate bids rejected from Oliver Glasner’s men, the most recent being £15million, but that was still not enough to allow the Englishman to sell.
PL minutes for Newcastle strikers (2026/27) | |
|---|---|
Player | PL minutes |
Harvey Barnes | 449 |
Yoane warned | 440 |
Anthony Elanga | 235 |
Jacob Murphy | 182 |
Matias Fernández-Pardo | 159 |
Jacob Ramsey | 69 |
William Osula | 56 |
Bazumana Toure | 50 |
However, this could be a huge mistake, with the winger’s current contract set to expire in the summer of 2027 – which could see the striker go for nothing.
Murphy struggled with how to perform under Jaissle
Despite a potential exit in the summer window, Murphy remained a key member of Jaissle’s squad for the 2026/27 season, starting two of their first five league games this season.
He certainly struggled to make Premier League appearances during the aforementioned period, supporting the view that the hierarchy were wrong not to allow him to be sold.
The Englishman has only completed 75% of his attempted passes this campaign, the lowest rate among top-flight forwards.
Such a calculation showed him to be at a low level compared to other players in the English top flight, below 80% of players in the winger position.
He’s also created just 0.4 chances per 90 so far this campaign, which puts him at the bottom of the Premier League – averaging more than 91% of strikers so far.
Such numbers highlight his struggles in attacking areas, a winger if not at the level the club needs to succeed under Jaissle.
How Newcastle can provide the perfect Murphy replacement
With the January transfer window fast approaching, Newcastle’s hierarchy will have a shortlist of players to try and improve the senior ranks for the future.
The board spent heavily on improving such a department over the summer, as evidenced by the signings of Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Bazoumana Toure.
However, despite the deals, the Magpies are targeting further reinforcements in such an area with a deal in place for Grenada teenager Owen Emeka.
According to Sport Witness, contact has been made between the two clubs regarding the possibility of a contract for the 17-year-old striker.
They claim that Everton and Arsenal have also held talks over a deal for the teenage star, which could lead to a possible transfer battle in the coming months.
His current contract is said to have a £12m release clause, which could allow any interested party to strike a deal for his signature.
Although he is an unknown quantity to many supporters, Emeka is a player who could prove to be a future star in any move to St James’ Park.
His statistics this season show his quality, despite his young age, he already manages to rank high compared to others in his position.
In six league games this campaign, the Spaniard has completed 2.7 successful dribbles per 90 – the highest rate among Granada’s senior players.
It also ranks him in the top 20% of all forwards in Spain’s second tier and shows his impressive nature with the ball in attacking areas.
Such a figure is also higher than current Magpies winger Murphy, further demonstrating why he could be the perfect man to replace the Englishman.
Emeka has also managed to put 32% of his shots on target during this period, with the youngster showing his ability to constantly trouble the goalkeeper in attacking areas.
Despite his tender age, there’s no reason he can’t be a key member of Jaissle’s senior ranks following any move to Tyneside in the January window.
It’s clear the Magpies are targeting younger talent in the near future, a move that only serves to further undermine Murphy at St James’ Park.