Ahead of Portsmouth‘s matchup against Leicester City, John Mousinho has opened up on the failed move from the Foxes for Josh Murphy.
While the winger has had a disrupted start to the season, due to an ankle injury which has not seen him play since the South Coast derby against Southampton, he is still a focal point of Pompey’s squad following a superb debut season at the club.
What Happened and Why It Matters
In his pre-match press conference ahead of their match at the King Power Stadium, John Mousinho shed light on Josh Murphy’s injury which has seen him miss a month of play, as well as discussing his possible move to Marti Cifuentes’ side this summer.
Reports at the end of August, just days prior to the transfer window shutting, stated that Leicester had put a bid in for Murphy, which was immediately rejected by the Fratton Park side. It is believed that figure was in the ballpark of £2 million, but fell way short of the valuation placed on the former Oxford United man.
The winger has since signed a new three-year deal to stay at Fratton Park, highlighting how crucial of a figure he has become in Portsmouth’s ambitions to progress further up the Championship.
A switch of clubs for Murphy would have seen a major shift in business for both clubs, and may have halted the emergence of Jeremy Monga as a viable starting option for Leicester. Portsmouth would also have had to find a new player to fill the vacancy left by the 30-year-old.
Reaction, Impact and What Comes Next
Speaking to the Portsmouth News in his press conference, Mousinho denied the summer reports surrounding Murphy and a move to the East Midlands. It is now the third time officials in Hampshire have debunked the report that a bid was placed by the Foxes, albeit admitting interest from the former Premier League mainstays.
“It was nothing we had heard at all, we didn’t have any contact from Leicester and there was no bid which came in for Josh either. As far as we are concerned, he may have popped up on their list, but there was nothing from our standpoint.
“You are always concerned with potentially losing players in a window and, when you look at some of the bigger clubs which show interest in certain players, it can be very difficult to stop them from going. Thankfully, we got through that period and Josh has signed his new contract since then.”
Murphy will not be ready to play in this game for Pompey, still recovering from his existing injury, likely giving Min-Hyeok Yang another week or two starting at left wing. The Tottenham Hotspur loanee scored the decisive goal last time out in the win over Middlesbrough.
