The answer to Newcastle United’s transfer ‘problem’ is staring us all in the face

It’s time to face the facts. Let’s call it off — I’m just as guilty as anyone for insisting that Newcastle United needed to sign a top-tier right winger. We were saying it last summer, again this month, and now we’re already speculating about who they’ll target for that position in the summer.

But the truth is, it’s becoming increasingly clear that, just maybe, they already have a top-class Premier League player in that role. Jacob Murphy’s contribution to this remarkable United side is hard to ignore.

Maybe it’s because we’ve seen him fall short a few times over the years, but what he’s doing now is impossible to overlook. The key stat tells the story: no two players in the Premier League have combined for more goals this season than Murphy and Alexander Isak. His assist for Isak’s second goal at Southampton was the seventh time the pair have connected for a goal.

Murphy now boasts eight assists and three goals this season, making him one of United’s most important players going forward. If players like Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, and Anthony Elanga are being valued at £50m+ — with some estimates even higher — then how much is Murphy worth right now?

He has fully embraced Eddie Howe’s philosophy and work ethic, elevating himself from a useful squad player to a first-team regular. We shouldn’t be too surprised, though. After all, we’ve seen what Howe and his coaching staff have done for Joelinton and Fabian Schar, two players from an era best forgotten, now playing crucial roles in the club’s promising future.

We’re also witnessing the rapid development of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, along with Anthony Gordon fulfilling his potential. So, why should Murphy’s rise be any different?

If only he’d hit this stride five years ago. Remember, this is the player Rafa Benitez signed. Murphy will turn 30 in February — not exactly past his prime, but both he and the club know time is ticking. For now, though, that’s not an immediate worry.

With Financial Fair Play and PSR constraints, Newcastle must make strategic decisions on where to allocate their funds. Yes, there are younger, more exciting options for the right flank, but Murphy’s form and, crucially, his consistency suggest that they might be better off investing in other areas.

It seems a far cry from that missed opportunity at Vicarage Road, when he fluffed a one-on-one chance with Ben Foster in a 1-1 draw, just before the takeover was completed. If that was the low point of his Newcastle career, then this moment is its high point. And it could very well influence the club’s transfer plans this summer.

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