TEAMtalk reports that Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City have joined the competition to sign Oxford United winger Josh Murphy.
Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City will be joined in the Championship by Derby County, Portsmouth, and Oxford United in 2024/25.
Des Buckingham’s squad made a remarkable run into the top six, thanks in large part to winger Josh Murphy. His six goals and four assists in the remaining two months of the season helped the U’s finish sixth, and he scored twice in the final against Bolton Wanderers.
Overall, he had 16 goal contributions, including 10 goals and six assists.
Murphy allegedly wants to stay with Oxford United, although promoted teams Portsmouth and Derby are interested. Now, it’s claimed Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City have entered the race. According to TEAMtalk, Rovers and the Potters have expressed interest in the 29-year-old, whose two-year contract at the Kassam Stadium expires this summer. Heading to the Championship
Regardless of whichever colours he wears come the start of next season, Murphy appears to be returning to Championship football after being dropped to League One. He’s no stranger to the second tier, having progressed through the junior levels at Norwich City before moving on to Cardiff City and Preston North End (on loan).
During his tenure with the Bluebirds and Canaries, he was also tested in the Premier League. Murphy appeared in nine Premier League games for the latter, scoring three goals and assisting twice in 29 for Cardiff.
However, now that he has recovered his lethal best in the third tier, it appears like the Championship is once again within reach. Are interested clubs prepared for disappointment?
Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Portsmouth, and Derby County are all high-profile clubs whose interest may entice Murphy as he considers his options for next season.
However, with the winger being more than happy at Oxford United under Buckingham’s leadership, it would not be surprising to see him sign new terms and stay with the club as
They advance to the Championship. The Yellows will definitely hope he chooses that option. Losing a key player as competition increases will not be ideal.
Time will tell what decision Murphy makes, but he appears to have options moving into the summer.
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