Josh Murphy lined up for shock Portsmouth exit, ‘sizeable fee’ for last-gasp deal
Josh Murphy could be in line for a surprise Portsmouth departure ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
Pompey have had a mixed start to the new Championship season, and would have been hoping to bring in a few more additions to their squad ahead of the imminent cut-off.
Murphy’s signing has been a masterstroke for Portsmouth, who tempted him away from Oxford United last summer, despite the offer of a new deal from his previous employers.
The winger starred for John Mousinho’s side last season, but he could now be heading for the exit less than a month into the new campaign.
Leicester want to sign Josh Murphy for a ‘sizeable fee’
There had been speculation earlier in the summer that Portsmouth could lose Murphy ahead of this season, but they would surely have fancied their chances of keeping hold of him at this late stage of the window.
However, those hopes have now been cast into severe doubt with the news that Leicester City are working on a deal to sign him, according to Football Insider.
The Foxes have identified the 30-year-old as their “number one target” for the remainder of the window, and could make a move for him as a replacement for Bilal El Khannouss, who seems destined to move back to the Premier League.
Murphy is under contract at Fratton Park until the summer of 2027, which does give Pompey the opportunity to demand a “sizeable fee” to allow him to join the newly-relegated side.
Leicester have already made contact over a potential deal, and could now face a race against time to get it over the line.
Portsmouth must do everything they can to keep Josh Murphy
Murphy has picked up where he left off for Pompey at the start of this season, and he will undoubtedly be a key player for Mousinho’s men once again.
- Only five Championship players notched more goal contributions than Murphy’s 21 last term
- No player over the age of 30 was more productive than the Portsmouth man in the second tier
- Murphy significantly outperformed his xG + xA total of 14.3
The former Newcastle United star has arguably been playing the best football of his career since his move to the South Coast, and the Fratton faithful will certainly be hoping for that to count for something when he weighs up his decision regarding a move.
The wideman was electric in 2024/25, and was Pompey’s most productive player by far, ending the league season with 21 goal contributions.
Mousinho and Co. have worked hard to strengthen their attacking ranks this summer with the likes of Adrian Segecic, but losing Murphy would see them go without their most proven and reliable creator.
For that reason alone, they must ensure they do everything in their power to keep him around.
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