Portsmouth are among a group of clubs chasing Oxford United’s playoff final hero Josh Murphy, according to a report on The72.
Murphy has endured a stop-start season at The Kassam Stadium, missing large chunks of the campaign but he did manage to find form in the run-in. In the final 16 games, the winger found the net six times and contributed four assists, before firing a brace against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley to secure promotion.
The former Cardiff City man’s contract is due to expire in a little over a month and he is now attracting interest from League One champions Portsmouth alongside fellow promoted side Derby County. Pompey and the Rams have reportedly joined Queens Park Rangers, Hull City, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland in the race for Murphy’s signature.
Murphy, a former England Under 20 international, joined the U’s in the summer of 2022 from the Bluebirds, whom he joined for £10 million in 2018. He had come through the ranks at Norwich City and, until heading to Oxfordshire, the 29-year-old had played his football in the top two tiers of English football and brought Premier League experience with him.
Since joining the club, the Londoner has played 62 times and found the net on 10 occasions, all of which came this season across all competitions.
Now, the attacker has a decision to make on his immediate future with a whole host of clubs casting an eye over him amidst the uncertainty of his contract with his current side.
Writer’s View
Murphy found his stride at the right time from an Oxford point of view and scored the two most important goals of the season. However, fans might feel they haven’t yet seen the best of a player who once commanded a huge transfer fee and joined them at a time that is seen as his prime years.
Oxford will be disappointed to lose a player who has the potential to win matches and possesses Championship experience, particularly to a side who they would view as their challengers to stay in the division next season.
