Fratton Park, the long-term home of Portsmouth
Fratton Park, the long-term home of Portsmouth
Match

Portsmouth to use John Mousinho links in transfer battle for Josh Murphy - report

Dan Godfrey
Dan Godfrey

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites including Pompey News between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelancer in various sports. Dan was born and raised in Portsmouth, comes from a Pompey-supporting family, and was in attendance at both of the club's FA Cup finals in 2008 and 2010.

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Portsmouth are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the Championship and are interested in Oxford United's Josh Murphy, according to talkSPORT.

Murphy's double helped Oxford beat Bolton Wanderers at Wembley at the weekend to join Pompey out of League One for next term, and the winger's connection with John Mousinho from the Kassam Stadium could give the Blues the advantage over competitors such as Derby County, as per Alex Crook's report [21 May].

The 29-year-old cost Cardiff City £11million in 2018 when they signed him from Norwich City, and he could prove a fruitful addition to Mousinho's squad at Fratton Park as wholesale changes take place.

Portsmouth could opt for Murphy over slightly more senior alternatives such as academy product Matt Ritchie, who is a free agent this summer with his Newcastle United deal coming to an end.

Portsmouth looking for Championship experience

Portsmouth are in the early stages of their unenviable task of building a Championship squad.

Having released 10 first-teamers, the club are also likely to offload some contracted players - either on loan or permanently - who they don't feel can be genuine assets in their maiden season back in the Championship.

Murphy would be an addition that makes sense, although the deal perhaps may have been more feasible had Oxford been consigned to League One for another season by Bolton.

John Mousinho Portsmouth
Mousinho played with Murphy at Oxford

The winger is settled at the Us and would be one of the main men for the club in the second tier.

His connection with Mousinho does give the deal a potential starting block, however, and would suit the blend of potential and Championship experience for the marathon ahead.

In other Portsmouth news, Don Goodman predicts where Pompey will finish next season.

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Portsmouth
John Mousinho
Oxford United
Josh Murphy
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