JUST IN: Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy under investigation by FA after testing positive of illicit drugs according to football insider

The winger has played for England U21 and is also eligible for the Republic of Ireland.

Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy has decided against switching his international allegiance to Nigeria, despite interest from the Super Eagles, according to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail.

The 29-year-old has played for England at various youth levels but is also eligible to represent Nigeria through his father and the Republic of Ireland through his mother.

“Jacob Murphy will politely decline an approach from Nigeria to switch his international allegiance,” Hope wrote.

Murphy has been in strong form this season, scoring five goals and notching nine assists across all competitions for Newcastle.

His performances have drawn interest from Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle, who reached out to Murphy a few days ago in an attempt to secure Murphy for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Instead, the winger will focus on club performances while keeping the door open for a potential England or, most probably, Republic of Ireland call-up which should also give him a chance to compete in future international tournaments.

“That would give Murphy the chance to play at next year’s World Cup, but we understand he will not be joining the Nigeria squad any time soon,” Hope reported.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has praised Murphy’s impact this season, particularly in supporting striker Alexander Isak.

“(Murphy) has been very, very important and probably more than people realize,” Howe said. “Isak probably owes him the majority of his goals with his crossing ability, which has always been very strong.”

At the end of January we reported (see below) that Antonio Cordero was in talks with Newcastle United.

The young winger was expected to sign a pre-contract agreement in the near future.

He is currently with Malaga but his contract due to end in June 2025, meaning he could talk to Newcastle United and then sign that pre-contract agreement, to then officially join in the summer.

Back then, it was said that talks had gone nowhere as Malaga tried to get Antonio Cordero to sign a new contract, now media in Spain are saying that both parties have confirmed that no further talks have been held in recent weeks.

With Malaga seemingly having accepted that their young star will be leaving this summer.

The club unable to offer the level of wages needed, with also the player and his agents having no interest in agreeing to what they considered a very excessively high selling clause figure that could then be triggered by another club if Cordero agreed the new contract on the terms offered.

Now Diario Sur in Spain are reporting that agreement between Newcastle United and Antonio Cordero is expected to be officially announced soon.

They report that whilst other Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Man City, are interested as well, it looks for sure that the teenager is heading to Newcastle United.

Diario Sur say that their information is that the negotiations between Newcastle United and the agents of Antonio Cordero are close to being finalised, with some of the player’s family having already visited Tyneside to meet club officials and check out the facilities at Newcastle United, in advance of the expected announcement.