Jacob Murphy is very close to agreeing a new contract that would extend his deal by 12 months.
Confidential understands talks have accelerated and the winger is ready to sign improved terms to the summer of 2028. Murphy’s deal expires next June but, after the club turned down several offers from Nottingham Forest in August, it was always likely that his package would be revisited.
The fresh contract rewards the 31-year-old after Matthias Jaissle made it clear he wanted him to stay, and it protects the club’s value in the player.
Forest’s offers went as high as £15million approaching deadline day and, from a business perspective, the move made sense for both Murphy and the club. It is thought he was open to the transfer. However, Jaissle recognised the leadership qualities he brought to a young dressing room and advised that the approach should be rebuffed.
Murphy has started the last two Premier League matches following Anthony Elanga’s injury but is yet to find his best form. It was in the 2024-25 campaign that he scored nine goals and recorded 14 assists. He is one of Toon’s longest-serving players having joined from Norwich City in 2017, scoring 25 times in 265 appearances in all competitions.
The new contract could yet see Murphy move on next summer, but the club would at least be able to command a fee rather than lose him for nothing.
Talks have accelerated between Jacob Murphy and Newcastle and the winger is ready to sign improved terms to the summer of 2028
Willock on his way?
On the subject of contracts, Confidential understands nothing is close when it comes to Joe Willock.
There was an expectation he would also sign an extension after Newcastle rejected an approach from Besiktas in the summer. That, however, is now less certain, raising the possibility of him signing a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January. Besiktas retain an interest.
Willock’s contract expires next summer and this is likely to be his last season on Tyneside, despite a strong start to the campaign under Jaissle. If his contract situation remains as is, then Newcastle could be minded to explore a sale with a fee in the new year.
The former Arsenal academy graduate has scored three times in seven appearances this season.
Joe Willock could be sold in the new year if his contract situation remains as is
Elanga boost
Good news coming out of the club this week regarding the injury to Elanga. Confidential understands the 24-year-old is now in the final stages of his rehab and there is hope he will return from his hamstring layoff in the coming weeks.
Elanga suffered the injury in training before the game at Leeds on September 14 and, after multiple scans, there was a fear he could miss up to two months. But the word in recent days is that the Swede has made significant progress and could rejoin training shortly.
That would be a major boost for Jaissle, for whom Elanga was key during the three-match unbeaten start to the Premier League season. The side have since lost two from three in his absence.
Meanwhile, fellow winger Bazoumana Toure is thought to have avoided serious injury after he was forced off in the closing stages of Monday’s 4-1 defeat at Coventry. The Ivorian took a heavy blow to his lower leg.
Newcastle winger Athony Elanga is making good progress with his rehab after injury and is set to rejoin training shortly
No way back for Nick
Nick Woltemade will NOT be returning to Newcastle in January, despite speculation in Italy that Juventus could look to cut short his loan deal.
Confidential can reveal there is no break clause on the part of either club and Juventus are committed to the agreement for the full season. There is no option or obligation to buy.
Woltemade is yet to start in Serie A and his only goal came from the penalty spot in the Europa League. His performances have triggered some debate in Turin and former Juve midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi has this week suggested the club need to sign a recognised striker.
Woltemade’s £3.5m loan move and coverage of his wages helped Newcastle fund the £51m signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo from a Squad Cost Ratio perspective for this season, and there is little chance of the German returning to Tyneside during this campaign.
Beyond that, it is hoped that a good season in Italy could protect the value of the club’s £69m record signing ahead of a likely sale next summer.
Nick Woltemade, on loan from Newcastle, is yet to start for Juventus in Serie A but did score from the penalty spot in the Europa League
Fernandez-Pardo – what’s his best position?
To revisit a previous Confidential item, amid a little confusion this week, it was Fernandez-Pardo who instigated his conversion to centre forward.
Some supporters have wondered why Newcastle are playing the Belgian as a central striker when he does not yet look suited to the role in the Premier League. However, during talks over his transfer from Lille, the 21-year-old expressed his desire to play through the middle as opposed to on the wing.
Fernandez-Pardo started the final 11 matches of last season at centre forward and that is where he sees his future, starting the last three in the position for Newcastle. He had previously played predominantly out wide, mainly on the left.
But speaking to sources in Belgium this week, there is some doubt in that country as to where his best position lies. They say he went to the World Cup on the proviso that he was a back-up striker but was then used out wide during three substitute appearances.
Following a five-minute cameo in a 1-0 defeat by France in the Nations League last month, however, reporters questioned manager Mark van Bommel as to why he had used Fernandez-Pardo as a striker instead of on the wing. For now, then, the young forward remains something of a puzzle for club and country.
When I asked Jaissle about him post-match at Coventry, the head coach said: ‘The goal is missing. He is a young lad. We support him and we trust him, no doubt.’
There has been no suggestion that Fernandez-Pardo’s position will change in the short term, and it was always Newcastle’s intention to deploy him as a striker.
Newcastle’s £51m signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo wants to play as a centre forward despite the debate surrounding his best position
New tune for Toon
Fans will hear a new version of The Blaydon Races before Saturday’s visit of Aston Villa, with the club having re-recorded the famous Geordie anthem.
North Shields band Hector Gannet provide the vocals, while the organ of St Nicholas Cathedral and Northumbrian piper Chris Ormston feature in a track designed to return the song to its folk roots.
Supporter groups, including Wor Flags and the Newcastle United Supporters Trust, were consulted on the recording, with fans having their say on the tempo and sound inside St James’.
The tempo on the pitch will be of greater concern come kick-off, however.
Business as usual
Finally, the mood inside the club has been one of calm in the wake of the defeat at Coventry, a second 4-1 reverse on the spin away from home. There has not, we understand, been any need for shows of support for Jaissle or conversations among the top brass.
Rather, it is business as usual on the training ground ahead of Saturday’s game, while midweek scouting in foreign fields continues elsewhere.
