Report: Newcastle could be willing to listen to offers for 29-year-old Eddie Howe favourite

Newcastle United have a fair amount of work to do in the upcoming transfer window with certain positions in the squad considerably weaker than others.

Injuries have decimated our defence which was already pretty threadbare when it came to the quality of a top-six chasing side, but it looks as though plans are well in place to rectify that early in the window with Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo strongly tipped to join the Magpies when their respective contracts expire.

One area of the pitch that definitely needs strengthening is right wing with Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy battling over that place in Eddie Howe's current squad.

Neither are really seen as being top tier and wouldn't likely get in any of the top six sides starting XI's. Now with Miguel Almiron tipped to depart, that just leaves Jacob Murphy who is an excellent squad player, but not an ideal first-choice player when gunning for Champions League - as much as we love him.

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Newcastle could be tempted to sell Jacob Murphy

However, despite the fact that he could be our only out-and-out right winger if/when Miggy leaves, The Athletic believe that the Magpies would still listen to offers for the 29-year-old, despite him being a strong favourite of Eddie Howe's.

In their end-of-season squad review, The Athletic err on the side of caution suggesting that Murphy will still be at the club come the start of next season, but claim that serious offers would probably be considered.

We'd like to think that offers for Murphy would only be considered if the club had at least one right-winger coming in this summer, preferably two.

Minteh could take full advantage of the right-wing uncertainty in pre-season

Howe has players who can play right wing on the books, and Yankuba Minteh will get his chance in pre-season to stake his claim for a first-team place too, so if all goes well then we'd only really need to replace Almiron.

Given Howe's affinity for Murphy we can't see him going anywhere this summer. He's too valuable as a squad player.

We just don't want to lose him because he's so entertaining. Not in terms of how he plays, but the man is a walking meme and we're here for it, besides, we'd really miss Murphy's Maw on the dressing room photos after a win.