There may be a major change in the offing for Newcastle United flyer Jacob Murphy after his impressive campaign on the right of Eddie Howe's attack. The 29-year-old last pulled on an international jersey when representing England Under-21's at the 2017 European Championships, when the Young Lions crashed out on penalties at the semi-final stage, but appears to have caught the eye in talent spotters in Africa.

As such, Nigeria look set to make an ambitious play to get Murphy to switch his international allegiance as the Super Eagles look to book their place at the 2026 World Cup. New boss Eric Chelle will oversee his first set of games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March and is currently looking for new duel-nationality players who could bolster his struggling squad.

Murphy is eligible to play for Nigeria through his father and due to the fact he has not made a competitive appearance for England's senior side. Chelle is also said to be taking a close look at AS Monaco’s George Ilenikhena, 18, who is being eyed by France and Emanuel Emegha, Strasbourg's in-form forward, who was born in the Netherlands to Nigerian parents.

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Nigeria have failed to win any of their opening four qualifiers (D3, L1) for the 2026 showpiece, sitting fifth in their six-team group so far. The likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina and Wilfred Ndidi currently represent the three-time AFCON winners.

Closer to home, Murphy has been impressing in the Premier League at the same time new England boss Thomas Tuchel has officially taken his post as Three Lions head coach. The Newcastle winger has a long way to go to oust the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen and others at international level - but has certainly been championed by boss Eddie Howe in recent weeks.

Howe told Chronicle Live: "Thomas will no doubt be looking carefully at all of our players that qualify to play for England. He has been at a number of games.

"Yeah, Jacob is in good form. My message to him is to continue in the vein he has been. He is creating a lot of goals and chances for the team. He also could have scored more himself.

"He's been unlucky a few times. Jacob is a great character, great lad and I really wish him well and hope he can carry on where he has left off."