Sunderland are among several clubs eyeing a move for Oxford United forward Josh Murphy, according to a report from The Sun.
Murphy, formerly of Norwich City, has been in fine form in League One this season. In 25 games for Oxford so far, he has scored six goals, while also amassing four assists. In all competitions, it’s the 29-year-old’s joint highest-scoring campaign of his career, equalled only by the 2019/20 season at Cardiff City.
The left-footed forward, who has a market value of £1.9 million, as per Fotmob, is out of contract at the end of this season, which has prompted several clubs to register an interest. Sunderland are among those teams, but they are not alone, with West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers also considering moves.
This wasn't bad… @JoshMurphy65 was the star of the show at Carrow Road as @NorwichCityFC were victorious over @AVFCOfficial. 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/cxGFM1RHxI
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) April 9, 2018
Clubs outside of England have also been scouting the player, who is the brother of Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy, with MLS side Minnesota United attending a recent game. Oxford will be reluctant to let him go, with the manager Des Buckingham declaring that the U’s will do everything they can to keep him at Kassam Stadium beyond this summer.
“I really enjoy him as a person, and I really enjoy working with him. He loves being in and around this club, and we’ll do what we can to try and keep him here. If there are opportunities that come up for him, we can address those and try and do our best at the end of the season.”
Sunderland face a battle to keep winger Jack Clarke in the upcoming transfer window, with various clubs from the Premier League showing interest. Murphy has previous experience in the Championship, recording 50 goal contributions in 199 appearances in the second tier throughout his career.
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Oxford host Lincoln City tomorrow night, as they aim to solidify their place in the play-off places with just three games to go. The 29-year-old is expected to be part of the squad and will be hoping to add to his impressive run of three goals in five games.
Writer’s View
Murphy has shown his class again in League One this season, and it’s no surprise clubs within the Championship are hoping to bring him back, especially considering his contract situation. Oxford are likely to lose him, but promotion to the second tier through the play-offs could make the winger re-evaluate his situation.
The lure of playing football in America could also be something that intrigues the player, but none of the clubs interested have made any formal offers as of yet, with that expected to come closer to the end of the season.
