Newcastle United have rejected official bids for two first-team players as the summer transfer window reaches its final hours. The club turned down a £10m offer from Nottingham Forest for winger Jacob Murphy and a £17m bid from Turkish side Besiktas for midfielder Joe Willock.
Head coach Matthias Jaissle values both players as squad options for the campaign ahead. The club sits sixth in the Premier League with four points from two games, two points behind leaders Manchester City.
Newcastle's decision to keep Murphy and Willock is rooted in squad depth and the manager's plans. Sky Sports said: "They report that Nottingham Forest have made a £10m offer to buy Jacob Murphy, the 31-year-old winger." That offer was swiftly rejected. Matthias Jaissle said: "Matthias Jaissle believes that Murphy's experience and character will be important this season, even if he is no longer an automatic first eleven starter."
A similar stance was taken over Joe Willock. The 27-year-old is viewed by Jaissle as an alternative option for the creative number 10 role. With the club also dealing with injuries to Dan Burn, Joelinton, and William Osula, retaining experienced Premier League players was deemed necessary.
While turning bids away, Newcastle are finalising a major incoming transfer. The club has agreed a fee with French side Lille for Belgium international Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The deal is set at €60 million, approximately £51.4 million, with additional future add-ons also included.
Fernandez-Pardo arrived in Newcastle on Monday night and is scheduled to undergo a medical on Tuesday ahead of signing his contract. His arrival adds significant quality to the attacking midfield department, where he will compete with Willock for minutes. The club's positive start, with four goals scored and two conceded, shows an attack that is already functioning but seeks further reinforcement.
The final day of the window is shaping up to be one of retention rather than a major sale. The rejected bids signal that Jaissle sees Murphy and Willock as useful components, especially during a busy season. Murphy's versatility on the wing and Willock's energy from midfield provide options that the manager is unwilling to lose at this stage.
Another player who could yet depart is forward Nick Woltemade. He is heavily rumoured to be attracting interest from clubs in Germany and Italy, and his future may be resolved before the deadline.
Newcastle's activity comes against the backdrop of a solid start to the 2026-27 Premier League season. With a record of one win and one draw from their opening two matches, the team has built a platform.
The decision to invest heavily in Fernandez-Pardo while holding onto squad players like Murphy and Willock indicates a balanced approach. The club is strengthening in key areas without depleting its depth, a strategy aimed at sustaining a challenge across multiple competitions. Their next fixture is at St James' Park against Bournemouth on September 5th.
