According to The Mirror, Newcastle United are nearing a deal for Norwich City attacker Jacob Murphy, who could cost the Magpies £8.5m.

What's the story?

Newcastle have been frustrated in their pursuit of a number of attackers this summer, although Christian Atsu has arrived on a permanent deal from Chelsea following a successful loan spell at the club last season.

It is understood that Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is still keen on improving his midfield options, however, and according to The Mirror, Norwich's Murphy will be the next to arrive.

The report claims that the Magpies have come to an £8.5m agreement with Norwich, and the attacker will head to the newly-promoted Premier League club this summer despite interest from Southampton and Crystal Palace.

Murphy, whose twin brother Josh also plays for Norwich, has represented the Canaries since 2006, and scored nine times in 40 appearances for the Championship club last season.

What would he bring to Newcastle?

At 22 and with a price of £8.5m, a deal for Murphy could prove extremely smart business for a Newcastle team that are lacking wide players ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Murphy scored 10 times during a loan spell at Coventry City during the 2015-16 season, before returning to Norwich last summer, and as mentioned, he managed nine goals in 40 appearances last term.

Murphy's ability to play in a number of forward positions is widely recognised, but he was also used as a stand-in right-back whilst representing England Under-21s at the Under-21 European Championships in Poland earlier this summer.

The versatile midfielder showed his defensive nous at the international tournament, whilst he was also a threat down the other end - finishing the competition with a goal to his name.

Murphy is unproven at the highest level of football, but his development over the last couple of years suggests that he is ready to make the step into the Premier League.

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