Portsmouth backed to accept Murphy transfer bid after what he’s done at Fratton
Portsmouth could be in line to accept an offer for Josh Murphy in the summer after a productive season.
The 30-year-old completed a move from Oxford United to Fratton Park last year and went on to have a superb campaign in the Championship.
This saw the Englishman play a key role as Pompey secured their place in the second tier with time to spare, completely avoiding a relegation battle.
As positive as this was, it could ultimately work against John Mousinho’s side as the rumour mill continues to link Murphy with a move away from PO4.
Portsmouth could sell Murphy in summer
There is no doubt that the south coast side are going to be in need of a large number of additions after losing six players already.
With the likes of Isaac Hayden and Freddie Potts leaving at the end of their loan spells, Mousinho will be building a fresh-looking squad ahead of the season.
As a result, keeping hold of key players like Murphy could prove to be of paramount importance moving into a second year in the Championship.
However, there is a chance that the sale of the 30-year-old could fund any summer additions the Fratton Park club needs, which may test their resolve.
Speaking to Football League World (10 May), David Prutton believes a positive fee could represent a difficult offer to turn down.
He said: “He could be targeted (by interested clubs this summer), but I think you have got a player there who looks very much at home.
“Without sounding too cynical, if the transfer fee is right for him and the club, then it is a different entity altogether, but I think he has been a massive part of the way they have wanted to play football.
“He’ll be a target, but it is up to them to keep him. It’s a great place to play football down there at Pompey, Fratton Park being the noisy fortress that it is.”
Portsmouth must keep hold of Murphy
There haven’t been many better attacking players in the entire second-tier over the last 12 months than Murphy.
Having a player who can easily sit among the best in the division has to be kept hold of at any cost, especially after just a year at Fratton Park.
| Stat (Championship 24/25) | Josh Murphy |
| Appearances | 42 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 14 |
The winger has been superb for Pompey and looks to have struck up a positive relationship with Colby Bishop up front.
As a result, it should be the main aim of the summer to keep hold of the former Norwich City man ahead of the new campaign.
This is also the case for Mousinho after tentative links to Watford.
If the PO4 club can keep hold of this duo, there is every chance that they could have yet another positive season in the Championship.