JACOB MURPHY is prepared to submit a formal transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Newcastle United, but Norwich City continue to hold out for a fee of at least £12m for the midfielder.

Murphy, who is a childhood Newcastle fan despite having been born and raised in North London, has rejected a potential transfer to Crystal Palace because he has his heart set on a move to the Magpies.

His representatives met with Norwich officials yesterday to outline the 22-year-old’s determination to swap Carrow Road for St James’ Park this summer, but his pleas have so far failed to produce a resolution to the current impasse.

If that continues, sources close to the deal claim Murphy will up the ante further by submitting a formal transfer request before his scheduled return to full pre-season training, having been granted an extended break following his summer exertions at the European Under-21 Championships.

Newcastle officials have indicated a willingness to increase their initial £8m offer, which was rejected at the start of the week, to an improved figure of around £10m.

That still falls short of Norwich’s valuation though, and it remains to be seen whether the Canaries are willing to admit defeat in their attempts to retain the winger.

The Norwich hierarchy have cited £16m as their preferred price tag, but Murphy’s clear determination to join Newcastle could weaken their negotiating position significantly.

Norwich’s board had been keen to hold parallel discussions with their counterparts at Crystal Palace, with the Eagles having pledged to match Newcastle’s initial offer.

Murphy is adamant he does not want to join Palace though, and new Eagles boss Frank de Boer is already understood to have switched his attentions elsewhere as he looks to improve his midfield options.

While Newcastle’s recruitment team remain confident Murphy’s signature will eventually be confirmed, it increasingly looks as though Yoan Gouffran will not be returning to Tyneside.

Gouffran was offered a new one-year deal after his previous contract expired earlier this summer, but the 31-year-old French forward is set to join Goztepe SK after the Turkish side offered the security of a longer agreement.

Gouffran had been holding out for at least a two-year contract, and Goztepe president Mehmet Sepil has expressed confidence in the Turkish media that a deal will be agreed.

Having started last season on the fringe of the Newcastle first team, Gouffran ended the campaign having scored seven goals from 36 starts in all competitions.

As things stand, Christian Atsu and Florian Lejeune remain the only players to have joined the Magpies this summer, and the pair will both be involved when Newcastle kick-off their pre-season programme at Hearts this evening.

Atsu completed a £6.5m switch from Chelsea after spending last season on loan from Stamford Bridge, and is delighted to have committed his long-term future to the Magpies.

He started the final four games of last term, scoring against Preston and Cardiff, and was always determined to secure a permanent deal on Tyneside.

“It was always my first choice to come back to Newcastle,” said Atsu. “As soon as the season ended, I knew I wanted to stay. I always loved working with the team here, and always loved playing for Newcastle.

“I wanted to be part of the Newcastle family, and now I really feel like I am part of the team here. After last season, I wanted to get my future sorted quickly and find a place where I could settle down. I am happy to be here doing that.”

Newcastle had inserted a clause for a permanent transfer into Atsu’s loan deal, but with Benitez requesting a couple of days to consider his options, the winger was forced to endure a difficult week before his future was finally resolved.

“I went back to Chelsea, and was waiting for one week or so,” he said. “I was hoping and praying that Newcastle would take up their option. Thankfully, I had my dream come true.

“It was a strange week. I was hoping and praying things would turn out well because I was very happy at Newcastle, with the lads, the fans and the whole club. I wanted to be with the team.

“The manager called me and told me he wanted to sign me. I was very happy at that moment. He called me and showed me a lot of respect, and I need to repay him that now.”

Last season’s loan spell was the fifth of Atsu’s Chelsea career – all to different employers – and the 25-year-old admits it is nice to have returned to pre-season without a need to start all over again.

“It is nice to be settled,” he said. “There is nothing new here – I don’t have to move to another place and start again. I have already settled in well, and hopefully that will help me play. There are no stresses.

“I am more confident going into this season, and I believe I will be a better player than I was last season. I am working hard, and I know I will give my best for Newcastle. That should mean everyone will see the best of me.”