Josh Murphy transfer claim made at Portsmouth as Rich Hughes eyes new arrivals
Portsmouth have given themselves some wriggle room in the Championship which ensured the weekend defeat did not sink them towards the relegation mire.
John Mousinho was left angered by his Portsmouth side on Saturday (1 March) after the 1-0 loss at Luton Town, handing the Hatters their first win of the calendar year.
Pompey remain outsiders to drop out of the Championship despite the result, with an eight-point gap to the trap door back to League One.
Portsmouth prediction and transfer urge made by Ian Darke
Portsmouth must look to recruit more players of a similar calibre to Josh Murphy if they are to continue on an upward trajectory next season, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator and Blues fan, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, believes Rich Hughes will be eyeing summer deals already with a heavy likelihood that Championship football will remain at Fratton Park in 2025-26.
Darke expects Portsmouth to move up the table next year with some astute recruitment, though is hesitant to anticipate anything more.
“In the summer, transfers are another ball game. It’s something to think about, summer recruitment, and I’m sure Rich Hughes is,” he said.
“I don’t think the ambition next season will be the play-offs, more just consolidation and pushing a little further up the table.
“For that, you’d want at least one or maybe two signings at the level of someone like Josh Murphy.”
Hughes and Mousinho always busy in transfer market
While Hughes leads on transfer operations at Fratton Park with a recruitment team reporting his way, Mousinho is also very heavily involved and signs off on deals.
Portsmouth weighed in with eight new signings in the recent winter window, with 14 more arriving in the summer to mixed effect based on form, fitness and value.
| 2024-25 (all comps) | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Josh Murphy (Portsmouth) | 31 | 6 | 9 |
Murphy has been a scintillating signing despite his slow start due to an injury sustained in pre-season, now one of Pompey’s most consistently effective performers – as well as local lad Matt Ritchie, the experienced pair of wingers picked up for a combined total of zero.
The 30-year-old was backed to be an “outstanding” Portsmouth player by his head coach in the summer, with the duo having previously crossed paths as teammates, and he has applied the pressure from Mousinho excellently.