Newcastle United has made two significant decisions ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline, choosing experience and squad depth over the opportunity to cash in on two players entering the final years of their contracts.
Both Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy had attracted serious interest throughout the summer and appeared possible late departures. Instead, Sky Sports' Keith Downie reported on Monday that Newcastle has rejected offers for both players and they will remain at St. James' Park.
"Joe Willock & Jacob Murphy are both staying at Newcastle United after the club turned down offers," Downie reported.
According to Downie, Besiktas offered as much as £17 million (€19.7 million) for Willock, while Nottingham Forest submitted a £10 million (€11.6 million) proposal for Murphy.
Both were rejected after Matthias Jaissle was impressed by the pair during his opening weeks as Newcastle head coach and seemingly values their experience and locker-room presence over any financial boost they could have provided.
The Daily Mail's Craig Hope separately confirmed both Newcastle's rejected offer for Murphy and the expected outcome of the Willock chase, with the latter also expected to stay. On top of that, Hope reported that Newcastle is now likely to discuss extending Willock's contract by another 12 months.
This news represents a dramatic turnaround for the 27-year-old, as Willock had been heavily linked with Besiktas throughout the summer and appeared likely to depart. Willock's preseason and Premier League performances under Jaissle, however, seem to have changed the picture. He scored shortly after coming off the bench against Liverpool before starting the victories over West Brom and Tottenham.
Downie reported that Jaissle now views Willock as an alternative to incoming Lille attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo in the No. 10 role, even more so with Nick Woltemade gone on loan to Juventus.
Murphy, meanwhile, also remains the most natural backup to Anthony Elanga on Newcastle's right wing and has been identified as an important dressing-room leader by Jaissle.
Rejecting approximately £27 million (€31 million) combined for two players with limited contractual security is a significant commitment, but Newcastle has evidently decided that both have roles to play in Jaissle's rebuilt squad.
Was Newcastle right to reject £27 million for Willock and Murphy, or should the club have cashed in while it had the opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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