Town are closing in on the permanent signing of loanee frontman Daryl Murphy, according to reports in Scotland. Despite Blues boss Paul Jewell playing down the chances of the Celtic frontman returning to Portman Road on a permanent basis next season, chief executive Simon Clegg hinted that a deal could still be done when speaking to TWTD a fortnight ago.

The Bhoys are believed to want a fee of £300,000 for the Irish international striker or midfielder, who was on loan with Town for the second time this season, having previously been at Portman Road in 2010 when a Sunderland player.

Murphy, who had trials with the Blues in 2004/05 before opting to join the Premier League Black Cats from hometown club Waterford at the end of that season, made 32 starts and two sub appearances during 2011/12, scoring four goals.

Sources close to Murphy have told TWTD that the 29-year-old and his wife are keen to stay in Suffolk with their children settled at a local school.

Murphy, who has another year left on his Celtic deal, is likely to have to take a significant pay cut to return to Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Seasonticketsteve added 11:28 - May 22 Good player at this level-always puts in a shift when ever I have seen him. Reckon we could be getting him on a freebie as Celtic are keen to get him off the wage bill. Would be a good signing on a free IMO. Wages could be a potential stumbling block but it is good to hear he is settled in the area and I reckon he would be very interested in signing on-2 year deal surely lol

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SpecialK79 added 11:29 - May 22 good stuff, i'm sure clegg won't be giving huge wages and it seems he enjoys living/playing football down here, fingers crossed!
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Joetown95 added 11:31 - May 22 I hope we get him back. Was A good player for us in the second half of the season but I can see his wages being A problem.
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Sindre94 added 11:35 - May 22 Believe it or not but Im not a great fan of these news. Hes a decent player but I would look elsewhere
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irishtim added 11:41 - May 22 Sign him if he takes wage cut. He knows what the club is about and the system we want to play. Wont take him ten games to blend like some signings do imo.
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casanovacrow added 11:41 - May 22 waste of money
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muhrensleftfoot added 11:42 - May 22 Got better as the season went on. Hard working, versatile too, as he's a decent striker as well as winger. I'd be pleased to see him here
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WeirdFishes added 11:45 - May 22 SOLID
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essexblue42 added 11:45 - May 22 Don't rate him 1 waste of money the only bloke who ive seen head a ball backwards from 2 yards
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Vexorg added 11:46 - May 22 Looking at the history of the performance of signings that were previously loanees then we should be running a mile ... Still, if he's cheap then we will surely be interested
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Sindre94 added 11:48 - May 22 @essexblue42: Give it a rest, the ball came unexpected and very quickly at him, cant blame him for missing that
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StowTractorBoy added 11:57 - May 22 If the deal is the right one for the Club then I support it. Deceptive player but useful to have on the flank or up front if needs must. Just wish he would improve his body language as he looks so laid back.
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Garv added 11:58 - May 22 Good. Get Wickham up front or buy a tall striker from the lower leagues and we might start converting some of Murphy's crosses.
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JimmyJazz added 11:58 - May 22 Anyone remember when he first arrived on loan under RK? At the time he wanted away from Sunderland because he hated playing out wide. So has he changed his mind or is he making do in a position he really doesn't enjoy?
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ipswichtillidie added 12:00 - May 22 I'm not a fan i gotta say. Would rather see us go down the potential route. Murph is an average player at this level. Steady. Will that get us a promotion push? steady players..........
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taylor15 added 12:02 - May 22 good player at this level. good strong player, and good in the air. wouldn't mind him to be honest, now let's get in some youth! COYB!<3
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alliedaz added 12:13 - May 22 hes ok for a sub but he aint going to get 20 goals plus for us
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walberswick added 12:32 - May 22 Give him a contract and he'll turn out pants.
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essexblue42 added 12:34 - May 22 unexpected from a cross? what planet are you on he's meant to be a striker all be it not a very good one Marriner would of buried that header with his eyes shut and i was right behind the goal in the Bobby Robson stand
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Mr_Evans added 12:35 - May 22 Hmmm? I do like Murphy, he is versatile and a good player to have around the squad. Like I've said before we don't need brand new team, it's essential to buy a good established GK, CB and a 15 goals a season man to challenge Chopra. £750,000 on each, then a couple of young promising players from the lower leagues or abroad and then 1 or 2 loans or freebies. That's surely easily done with a budget of under £3.5m??

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Mark added 12:42 - May 22 Murphy might not sound an exciting signing, but he is effective in the air and it is very important to have at least one player who can win and direct a header and to whom the goalkeeper can aim goal kicks at. As he is on big wages (we suppose) at Celtic where he was a flop and as he turns 30 next March, I would hope we could get him on a free transfer rather than having to pay a transfer fee. Hopefully he will be realistic about wages and as he is settled here and there don't seem to be other clubs in for him, then maybe we do stand a chance.

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Surco72 added 12:50 - May 22 As i said nearly a month ago when the usual suspects were moaning about having to replace the whole team again ,and why do we bother getting loans ? Murphy will resign as will Scotland and Smith ,a couple of correct additions and we have a squad more than capable of challenging in this league
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Garv added 12:50 - May 22 @essexblue42 - the ball came in behind him. Hardly fair to blame him.
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RegencyBlue added 12:51 - May 22 We could do worse, and frequently have done! If his wage demands are reasonable sign him up.
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merl added 12:56 - May 22 He's never going to set the world alight, but he does well at times, and always puts the effort in. I'm unsure about this signing, unless he's cheap and not on big money
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