By Wayne Veysey

26th Apr, 2021 | 7:00am

Sources: Newcastle line up Murphy talks amid Rangers, Southampton and Watford interest

Newcastle United are planning to hold new contract talks with Jacob Murphy amid interest from Rangers, Southampton and Watford, Football Insider has learned.

This site revealed on 14th April that the Glasgow giants and Saints are in hot pursuit of the in-form 26-year-old, while Watford have made him their number one target after securing instant Premier League promotion.

A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that the club are keen to tie Murphy down to a new contracts.

 

Talks are expected to begin in the coming weeks as the north-east outfit look to put an end to speculation about his future.

The converted wing-back he has another year remaining on his Newcastle contract.

That has alerted rival clubs in the market for a proven Premier League wide man with the versatility to play in attack or drop back to defence.

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Murphy has revived his Newcastle career this season after spending the previous 18 months on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and, before that, West Brom.

Steve Bruce has used the former Norwich City man mainly in a right sided wing-back role, including in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

That was Murphy’s 26th appearance of the season and his 12th start in the Premier League.

Significantly, he has started the last four Newcastle matches, which have yielded two wins and two draws, at right-back.

 

Clubs will have to pay around £3m to prise him from Newcastle if he does not agree an extension.

Rangers were keen on Murphy in January and last summer, and will make a move if they are given encouragement.

In other news, Rangers could be set for astonishing £30m+ windfall after Uefa twist.