Portsmouth remain hopeful of coming out on top in the race for Oxford United winger Josh Murphy, who is out of contract this summer after guiding the U’s back to the Championship.
It was a difficult campaign for the former Norwich City winger at the Kassam Stadium. Murphy only managed to bag his first goal of the season for Oxford in mid-February but ended the campaign quite strongly. Overall, he scored eight goals in 34 appearances for Des Buckingham’s side, with two being in the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium two weeks ago in a 2-0 victory.
Derby County And Portsmouth Forced To Wait Over Transfer Decision
Despite being the hero in the English capital, the 29-year-old is out of contract this summer and his brace to earn the club promotion back to the Championship for the first time in 25 years may have been his final action for the U’s, although it has been reported that Oxford United are in contract talks with the wide man.
Nevertheless, there has been significant interest in the forward from clubs in England’s second tier, including both Portsmouth and Derby County, who won promotion to the Championship alongside Oxford. Furthermore, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion are just a few more clubs set to battle it out for Murphy’s signature should he be made a free agent.
However, The News, Portsmouth published a report on Sunday morning claiming that Pompey have the upper hand in the race for Murphy this summer as they believe John Mousinho’s influence could be enough to entice him to move to Fratton Park, having played together in Oxfordshire two years ago.
Writer’s View
This may be an important consideration for Murphy. He previously played with and was coached by Mousinho at Oxford United which could give Portsmouth a better chance of winning his signature than Derby, QPR or even a club like Stoke City.
Nevertheless, this may be the last big move of the attacker’s career given he turns 30 next February. He may not be keen to join a club and be launched straight into a relegation battle in the Championship which is another reason why he might not sign a new deal at the Kassam Stadium.
