Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)
In the aftermath of Newcastle United's 3-1 defeat to Everton at Murrayfield Stadium on Wednesday, there was a moment caught on the Premier Sports TV cameras that has set tongues wagging on social media.
Magpies winger Jacob Murphy was captured in deep conversation with Toffees boss David Moyes as the pair walked together on the pitch, reigniting talk of a possible move to Merseyside this summer.
Earlier in the window, it was understood Everton were among the clubs interested in the 31-year-old, who has just entered the final year of his contract at St James' Park.
Murphy has been at Newcastle for nine years now since joining from Norwich City back in 2017 and after a slow start and some loan moves away from Tyneside, he became a key member of the side under Eddie Howe.
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But speculation has been rife this summer that his association with his boyhood club could come to an end with United surely having to consider any offer that arrives for a player north of 30 and inside the last 12 months of his deal.
However, whether that exit route with Everton still exists now appears to be doubtful.
The arrival of Crystal Palace winger Brennan Johnson means the Toffees now have two options on the right-wing, with 20-year-old Tyler Dibling impressing in pre-season.
David Moyes and Jacob Murphy in conversation after Newcastle's defeat to Everton at Murrayfield
David Moyes and Jacob Murphy in conversation after Newcastle's defeat to Everton(Image: Premier Sports TV/X)
On the left-hand side Tyrique George and Iliman Ndiaye are two excellent options, with our sister title the Liverpool Echo reporting the noises from Ndiaye’s camp suggest Al-Hilal’s interest in him is not reciprocated.
Everton are also expected to go back in for another loan deal for Man City's Jack Grealish, too, so unless something changes between now and September 1, and one of those players unexpectedly leave, it seems unlikely the Toffees will move for Murphy, despite his public conversation with Moyes.
As thing stand, Murphy is preparing to start the season for Newcastle and has featured in every pre-season match so far this summer, wearing the captain's armband on numerous occasions.
Whether he remains a Magpies player at the end of the window remains to be seen but one path out of the club now appears to be closed.
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