Jacob Murphy has enjoyed an upturn in form since the turn of the year and could end his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday positively. The 25-year-old got off to a slow start, but he’s enjoyed a good goal output in 2020 that could put himself in the shop window this summer.
Wednesday don’t have a buying option for Murphy and could lose Fernando Forestieri, Alessio Da Cruz and Adam Reach in the same transfer window, so the Owls could make it a priority to bring in a wide-man. A lot of supporters from the Sheffield Wednesday Fans Forum don’t believe Murphy is worth re-signing, however.
Tommy Christopher: “I like him…”
John Goodwin: “Started off really badly and I would have been quite happy to see him sent back. But in the last few months he’s turned into one of our best and most consistent players.…”
Martin Williams: “I wouldn’t pay a fee for him, put it that way.”
Richard Bullock: “Let’s not.. average at best.”
Ant Deaks: “Considering Newcastle paid £12M for him, we can forget buying him, not that I would.”
Craig Onion Unwin: “He’s only an average player..”
Kj Schmitz: “No good.”
Tom Wainwright: “He was improving a lot before the (pandemic).”
Keiron Wilcock: “Started off well, then had a “can’t be (bothered)” attitude for a while, (before) improving again. Generally disappointing from a Premier League player.”
Adam Eccles: “Literally been one of the very few bright sparks this season along with Fox and Fletch.”
Derek Prigmore: “Wants to try and get back in Newcastle squad (no chance of course). Another player just not really good enough in his time at Wednesday. A little like Harris, very inconsistent. But we’re stuck with Harris. We’re not stuck with Murphy.”
Philip Bradish: “Bit disappointed with him at first, but he got better as the season progressed. Shame other players deteriorated.”
John Ellison: “Another player who’s not quite good enough. (Has) moments of brilliance but cannot deliver consistently. We’ve had many of these at Wednesday.”
Richard Shipston: “Rubbish.”
Murphy joined Wednesday on a season-long loan last summer and has gone on to make 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and making two assists.
The 25-year-old got off to a slow start, scoring just one goal in the first three months of the season and not making an assist until November 2019, but he’s had a hand in four goals from his last 11 Championship matches.
Murphy wants to fight for first-team football at Newcastle and currently earns £25k-per-week, so Wednesday may not be able to bring him back to Hillsborough next season.