After losing a plethora of key talents during the recent summer transfer window, Newcastle United shifted their focus onto building for the future rather than landing readymade replacements.
The hierarchy spent a pretty penny in the market to try and soften the blow of the high-profile departures, with the average age of the additions sitting just at 20 years and six months.
It’s clear that new boss Matthias Jaissle has been tasked with helping the youngsters progress, but their route to success may be blocked by one player at St James’ Park.
Why Newcastle made a huge mistake not selling Murphy
As part of the club’s recent ability to fight at the top of the Premier League, winger Jacob Murphy has played a vital part in the success off the right-hand side of the attack.
However, there comes a point where a player achieves all they can on Tyneside, with the 31-year-old certainly falling into such a category over recent times.
He’s struggled to emulate his best performances, but he was still the subject of multiple transfer offers from Nottingham Forest during the recent summer window.
The Magpies rejected two separate offers from Oliver Glasner’s men, with the latest tallying £15m but it still wasn’t enough to sanction a sale for the Englishman.
|
PL mins for Newcastle attackers (2026/27) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
PL minutes |
|
Harvey Barnes |
449 |
|
Yoane Wissa |
440 |
|
Anthony Elanga |
235 |
|
Jacob Murphy |
182 |
|
Matías Fernández-Pardo |
159 |
|
Jacob Ramsey |
69 |
|
William Osula |
56 |
|
Bazoumana Touré |
50 |
However, it may have been a huge mistake, with the winger’s current deal set to expire in the summer of 2027 – which could see the attacker depart for nothing.
How Murphy has struggled to deliver under Jaissle
Despite the potential exit during the summer window, Murphy has remained a key member of Jaissle’s squad within 2026/27 and started two of the first five league games this term.
During the aforementioned period, he’s certainly struggled to deliver in the Premier League, and backed up the point that the hierarchy made a mistake in not sanctioning his sale.
The Englishman has only managed to complete 75% of the passes he’s attempted this campaign, with such a tally the lowest of any forward within the senior ranks.
Such a tally has also seen him rank lowly compared to other players within England’s top-flight, with the winger ranking below 80% of players within his position.
He’s also created just 0.4 chances per 90 so far this campaign, which has also seen him also rank lowly compared to others in the Premier League – where 91% of attackers average more to date.
Such numbers showcase his struggles within attacking areas, with the winger clearly no longer at the level needed if the club are to be successful under Jaissle.
How Newcastle can secure the perfect Murphy replacement
With the January transfer window edging ever closer, the Newcastle hierarchy will have a shortlist of players to try and improve the senior ranks for the future.
The board did spend big to improve such a department in the summer, as seen with the deals to sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Bazoumana Toure.
However, despite the deals, the Magpies are targeting added reinforcements in such an area, with a deal for Grenada teenager Owen Emeka a possibility.
It’s been reported by Sport Witness that contact has been made between the two clubs over the possibility of a deal for the 17-year-old attacking talent.
They claim that Everton and Arsenal have also held discussions over a deal for the teenage star, which could lead to a possible transfer battle in the months ahead.
It’s claimed that he has a £12m release clause included within his current deal, which could allow any of the interested parties to secure a bargain deal for his signature.
Whilst he may be an unknown quantity to many supporters, Emeka is a player who could well prove to be a future star upon any move to St James’ Park.
His stats from the current season demonstrate his quality, with the youngster already managing to rank highly compared to others in his position despite his tender age.
Within his six league games this campaign, the Spaniard has completed a staggering 2.7 successful dribbles per 90 – the most of any player within the Granada senior ranks.
It’s also placed him within the top 20% of all attackers in Spain’s second tier, showcasing his impressive nature with the ball within attacking areas.
Such a tally is also higher than that of current Magpies winger Murphy, subsequently demonstrating why he could be the perfect man to replace the Englishman.
Emeka has also managed to place 32% of his shots on target so far this term, with the youngster showcasing his ability to constantly trouble the goalkeeper within attacking areas.
Despite his tender age, there’s no reason why he can’t become a key member of Jaissle’s senior ranks upon any move to Tyneside during the January window.
It’s clear the Magpies are targeting younger talents in the immediate future, with such a move only pushing Murphy further down the pecking order at St James’ Park.