West Brom's loan deal for Jacob Murphy edges closer
Albion’s loan move for top target Jacob Murphy is edging closer as Newcastle line up deals for two attacking players.
The Magpies are breaking their club record to sign Miguel Almiron from MLS champions Atlanta United, and are reportedly keen on Nantes winger Anthony Limbombe.
Those two arrivals in the North East are expected to open the door for Murphy to leave on loan.
As the Express & Star revealed earlier this week, Murphy is keen to join the Baggies for the rest of the season in search for regular football.
The 23-year-old, who cost Newcastle £12million in the summer of 2017, has been earmarked to replace Harvey Barnes in Albion’s front three after the youngster was recalled by Leicester City.
Darren Moore was also eyeing up a potential move for Tyrone Mings this window but has cooled interest, having been impressed with the second string back-line at Brighton over the weekend.
Albion are primarily focused on the wings, having lost both Barnes and Bakary Sako this month.
The Baggies looked at Fulham bad-boy Aboubakar Kamara, who was arrested last week, but Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor are reportedly closing in on his signature.
Albion could return to Newcastle with another loan offer on deadline day, should the Magpies allow want-away midfielder Isaac Hayden to leave.
Newcastle hope to sign midfielders Antonio Barreca and Andreas Samaris before Thursday's 11pm deadline, which would allow Hayden to leave the North East to be closer to his family.
But Albion would have to stave off the advances of local rivals Aston Villa, who are also keen on Hayden.
"The clubs that are interested in me are waiting, and the clubs that I want to go to are waiting," said Hayden, over the weekend.
"It’s just a case of whether Newcastle say: ‘Yeah, you can go'. If they say that, I can go. That’s where it is really."
Murphy would become the club’s second signing of the window behind Mason Holgate, who was brought in on loan from Everton near the start of January.
He would become the fourth loanee at the club. EFL clubs are allowed eight loanees in total, but just five in any match day squad.
The transfer window shuts at 11pm Thursday, and the Baggies are expected to keep hold of senior professionals Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson, who interested Burnley in summer.
