Sources: Rangers and Southampton in race to sign Murphy after surprise twist | OneFootball

Rangers and Southampton are in pursuit of Newcastle United star Jacob Murphy ahead of the summer, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

This site revealed on Tuesday (12th April) that the converted wing-back is not available on a summer free as he has another year remaining on his United contract.

A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that means Murphy’s suitors will have to meet an asking price of £3million this summer.

Rangers, who were keen on Murphy in January and last summer, remain interested in a potential deal.

There is also interest from Premier League side Southampton and Championship promotion hopefuls Watford.

As revealed by this site, Rangers made a loan approach for Murphy earlier in the season along with Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City.

Steve Bruce blocked Murphy from going out on another season-long loan and has backed that up by handing the player a first-team role, either at right wing or in a new right-sided deeper role.

Newcastle have yet to decide on their plans for Murphy ahead of the summer window.

It could depend on their managerial situation, potential relegation – they are 17th in the table – as well as whether he is offered and accepts a new contract.

Murphy, who can play on either wing, had not played for Newcastle for 20 months before being recalled to Bruce’s team in the EFL Cup in September.

He has gone on to make 24 appearances for United this season, including 10 Premier League starts and has been hailed by fans for his displays.

In other news, Rangers have been tipped to seal Scandinavian partnership by finance guru after surprise U-turn.