Portsmouth issued advice as fresh Josh Murphy bids expected in January
Josh Murphy has become one of Portsmouth’s best players in recent years.
The winger was crucial to the South Coast club staying in the Championship last season and hit 21 goal contributions in the division.
As a result, Murphy won numerous awards at Portsmouth at the end of the 2024/25 campaign for his performances.
However, Murphy’s long-term future at Portsmouth isn’t certain, especially after the drama at the end of the transfer window.
This article includes exclusive comment from Premier League commentator Ian Darke.
Ian Darke: Portsmouth to brace for further Josh Murphy interest
At the end of the transfer window, Portsmouth rejected numerous bids from Josh Murphy as they looked to keep hold of their star man.
In the end, this turned out to be a success, with the Foxes eventually moving on to other targets, allowing John Mousinho to keep his star man.
However, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, Ian Darke believes further interest in Murphy is inevitable.
And the iconic commentator insists it is on Pompey to ensure they back him financially to ensure that interest comes to nothing.
- Murphy joined Portsmouth on a free transfer last summer
- The winger has previously helped Oxford United win promotion
- Murphy has since become a key player at Fratton Park
He said: “The interest will come back because he is a damn good player. He had the joint most assists in the Championship last year, alongside Tom Fellows, who now plays for Southampton.
“There will be interest, but that is the price of success. It is the same thing with the manager, if you are successful, other clubs will covet those players, and there will be bids.
“It is up to Pompey to be successful themselves, look after him financially and reject any offers that aren’t very beneficial to the club.
“The word was that Leicester put in a bid for Josh Murphy in the summer, it was rejected, and he carries on being a Pompey player and performing very well.
“From Pompey’s point of view, long may that continue, but there is no way you can make that interest in him disappear. It will be there because he is good.”
- Read more: FA to investigate John Mousinho’s ‘unusual’ Southampton accusation after Portsmouth incident
John Mousinho has to prepare a Josh Murphy succession plan
Eventually, Josh Murphy will move on from Portsmouth. Whether that is due to his good performances or not, he is unlikely to still be a key player in three years time, given his age.
Therefore, Mousinho has to prepare for his eventual successor at Fratton Park.
Whether this is shortlisting potential targets to come into the South Coast club or signing younger stars to eventually take over, it is something that has to be done.
Hopefully, this process has already started under Mousinho and will continue over the coming months.
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