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A bit of a one off – Daryl Murphy on verge of exiting Newcastle United

7 years ago
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Daryl Murphy is set to be on his way.

The Newcastle striker has been targeted by Nottingham Forest, with the Times (and now others) confirming that a bid in excess of £2m has been made.

The £15m received by Forest from Middlesbrough for Britt Assombalonga ensuring two things; they need to get at least one new striker in and they have plenty of money to invest in new players, at Championship level.

With 50 Championship goals in his final three seasons at Ipswich, Daryl Murphy was clearly more than good enough for the second tier, leading Rafa Benitez to buy him for £3m with a £1m bonus payable as an extra, if Newcastle were promoted.

Despite making only seven starts and the club losing almost half their money on him, Murphy bizarrely (to some) is seen as a successful signing, in a bit of a one off.

A bit like paying for insurance that you never claim on, Daryl Murphy was only needed on a very limited basis as Rafa gave him seven Championship starts and eight appearances off the bench, nevertheless he contributed five valuable goals and one assist in the league.

The media in Nottingham claim that a medical and finalised deal could happen as quick as the next 24 hours, despite still claims from a handful of other Championship clubs in trying to land the striker as well.

It was seven weeks ago (see below) when Daryl Murphy first confirmed that he would be on his way this summer.

The striker revealing that before heading off on international duty with Ireland, Rafa Benitez had thanked him for his contribution but that Newcastle were now going to sell him.

The Irish international saying that he knew the score when he signed and couldn’t praise Rafa’s management skills enough.

Hopefully plenty other of Newcastle’s surplus players will be finding new clubs, enabling them to get games elsewhere and Rafa Benitez to have his hand strengthened in terms of funds to bring in the players he now needs for the Premier League.

Daryl Murphy – 11 June 2016:

“Rafa is a top, top manager. He texted me after the Uruguay game to say well done.

“I spoke to him last week about my future and he thanked me for what I had done and said they were going to listen to a few offers. I said ‘that’s fine’.

“I always knew I had been brought in there to do a specific job, to help the club get promoted. I had no illusions that I was going to be starting for Newcastle in the Premier League if we got up.

“I have got another year left on my contract and I will go back there for pre-season and just look at my options.

“Last season was good, though. Rafa managed everything very well.

“We had a lot of big name players and maybe if it had been another manager he wouldn’t have got the best out of them as there would have been players sulking.

“But he used every player in the squad at the right time so everybody was fighting for a place.

“When the other strikers got injured, I knew I had to produce the goods for him, and I did, getting three goals in three games.

“We got some good results. I didn’t start many games – just seven in the league, nine in all competitions.

“But I scored six times and felt I deserved my medal whereas before, when I was at Celtic, we won the Cup but I barely featured and didn’t take a medal then because I had not earned it.

“This time I played my part.

“And I have Rafa to thank for that. To work with him, you see at first-hand how good he is and realise why he has such a superb CV.

“His attention to detail, everything is spot-on. He wants to know everything that is going on at the club. He makes time for everyone.”

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