Why Newcastle United signing Glenn Murray would be a good move
According to The Guardian, Newcastle United are considering signing Glenn Murray from Brighton on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Murray, 36, has been a key figure at the Amex Stadium, having made 275 appearances for the Seagulls in two different spells with the club. The forward has scored 110 goals for them and has further created 19 in his time at the South Coast.
The former Crystal Palace man is clearly beyond his prime and with his contract coming to an end in the summer, he could be on the move in search of opportunities until he hangs up his boot (h/t The Guardian).
The report suggests that Brighton are in search of a replacement and have been linked with CSKA Striker Fedor Chalov, which means Murray could be allowed to leave.
Meanwhile, Newcastle started the season well but things changed for them after the 4-1 loss to Manchester United. Since then, they have lost to Everton and Leicester City, slipping to 13th place in the league standings with half the season yet to be played.
One of the chief reasons for the Magpies’ struggles this season has been their inconsistency in the attacking ranks. They have lacked intensity while moving forward and the strikers have failed to deliver on time.
Record summer signing Joelinton seems to have lost his goalscoring touch, chipping in with just 1 goal in 21 league games. This is a bad sign for Steve Bruce, who seems to have run out striking options.
Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto haven’t matched the terms of the Premier League and look unconvincing. The duo has failed to score so far, despite getting their fair share of game time.
Andy Carroll was brought in on a free transfer from West ham last summer but he has had to deal with injuries for the majority of the season. Though he is yet to open his account, the former Liverpool man has provided 4 assists.
With games coming thick and fast, Steve Bruce has to look for better options elsewhere and make adjustments to his squad to ensure that the Toons finish in a respectable position. The manager must prioritize strengthening his attacking options at the earliest and find a suitable back-up.
In that case, Brighton’s Glenn Murray would be perfect to provide more support to Joelinton and Carroll.
An outright centre-forward, Murray has played 13 games this season. Over the last three campaigns, he has been a regular for the Seagulls and scored a staggering 52 goals across all competitions. He was also instrumental in Brighton’s promotion to the Premier League in 2017.
At Newcastle, he would be an upgrade and if the Englishman is given the right opportunities, he can help them with the much-needed goals.
Read more
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Verdict
If Newcastle are going into the market for a short-term replacement, Murray would be the perfect choice to fill in the gaps. Therefore, the Magpies must get ahead of their rivals Aston Villa, who are also interested, and secure his services for the rest of the season.
