Newcastle striker Daryl Murphy has been told by boss Rafael Benitez that he is looking to offload the 34-year-old this summer.
The Republic of Ireland striker scored five goals in 15 appearances during the Magpies’ Championship winning campaign, after he was brought to the club in the summer of 2016 from fellow second tier side Ipswich.
However, despite the role he played in helping the club return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Murphy admits that Benitez has told him of his plans to sell the target man just a year after joining.
The 34-year-old told the Irish Sun: “He (Benitez) said, ‘It is going to be hard for you to play next year. We are going to listen to a few offers.’
“The way the club wants to go forward and the money he is going to get to spend on players, I always knew that was going to be the case.”
Newcastle are lacking in terms of options up front, with Murphy joined by Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle, who finished the season as the Magpies’ leading scorer with 23 goals, as Benitez’s recognised centre forwards.
Midfielders Ayoze Perez and Yoan Gouffran were both utilised in advanced roles last season, but it is clear that the Spanish manager will be looking to improve the quality at his disposal ahead of their top flight campaign next season.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is looking to provide Benitez with transfer funds of up to £70 million this summer, with funds raised from player sales expected to increase the budget accordingly.