Middlesbrough are reportedly offering the Blues left-back James Husband in a cash-plus-player move for Town striker Daryl Murphy.

Earlier today, reports in Ireland claimed the Blues had rejected a £4.5 million offer from Boro for the 32-year-old, the subject of much speculation since netting 27 Championship goals last season.

TWTD understands that Town rebuffed an offer for the Irish international a fortnight ago but the Teessiders appear keen to continue their pursuit.

According to HITC Sport, Boro are now offering Husband as part of a deal reportedly worth in excess of £4 million.

Husband, 21, joined Boro from Doncaster for a fee of £500,000 last summer with Curtis Main moving in the opposite direction, but was unable to establish himself in the team at the Riverside.

The Leeds-born full-back made just five starts - only two in the league - and one sub appearance before joining Fulham on loan loan in March, playing five games.

Town are said to have already been considering Husband as a potential replacement for Tyrone Mings, who joined AFC Bournemouth in an £8 million deal last week.

While Jonny Parr’s preferred position is left-back and manager Mick McCarthy has challenged the Norwegian to make the position his own, it’s likely that the Blues boss will want to sign another left-sided full-back before the start of the season.

Speaking yesterday, McCarthy reiterated his intention to keep Murphy at Portman Road: “We don’t want to sell Daryl Murphy, we don’t want to lose Daryl Murphy.

“He’s still on a break because he’s only had a couple of weeks [off since being away with Ireland]. That’s what I’ll be telling him, and his agent - we want to keep him.

“He was the outstanding striker in this league last season and it would be difficult to fill his boots. We’re going to try and keep him.”

Murphy, who previously played in the North-East with Sunderland, has said on a number of occasions he that he has no intention of leaving Town as he and his family are settled in Suffolk.

The Waterford-born frontman signed a new contract with Town last July, which has another year left to run with the Blues having an option to extend it for a further season.

Photo: Action Images

ITFC_Cairo added 22:31 - Jul 1 As long as he signs until death do us part.
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brianblueboy added 22:32 - Jul 1 Brianblueboy -- This could be Boro playing games, just trying to unsettle Murphy?
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topguy added 22:35 - Jul 1 and if we sold and went and got say kenwyne jones who would complain then Cardiff would sell at a reduced fee in a heartbeat.
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blue_movies added 22:45 - Jul 1 murphy is the only reason we made the playoffs, lucky old MM
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topguy added 22:56 - Jul 1 or look to the future and sign say tom bradshaw from Walsall 22 year old played 29 scored 17 young cheap and would be on less wages good for a 3 or 4 year deal.
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itfc1981 added 23:17 - Jul 1 I think Blue_movies is a automated machine sending out inane comments from Delia's garage.
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topguy added 23:20 - Jul 1 like people say we cant get a 20+ goal scorer well we got Freddie for 100k if we had him for a full season he would so who can say bradshaw wouldn't
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roysboys added 23:25 - Jul 1 No thanks. Murphy was a revelation last season and there is no reason why he can't carry on where he left off. James Husband did provide one of my golden moments of the season though. My 10 year old daughter attending her second ever game saw his shirt with his name on it and asked me whether the lady he lived with had a shirt with WIFE on it! Kids comedy football gold.

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Tractastic added 23:28 - Jul 1 4.5 million for a 32 year old striker who has had the season of his life and may never be repeated? Another season and if its an average one with around 10 goals at 33 years old he will probably be worth less than 500,000 ? Even if he scores 20 plus his value at 33 will be lower? Worth remembering he scored 24 goals in total in the 3 seasons before his 27 goal haul. Just a thought?

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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:33 - Jul 1 Kenwyn Jones has got Jason Scotland mark 2 written all over him and Cardiff would I expect demand a straight swap. This will go on all summer. At the end of the day stick or twist. Either is a gamble. Your as good as your last season. Right now that makes Murphy the best striker in the championship. 4.5 million seems under market value regardless of age. Every player has his price and 6 on the other hand....

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topguy added 23:33 - Jul 1 I just as a family club sometimes it has held us back when it comes to business I know that's what we are but we are also a business and I if replaced with a younger player like tom bradshaw young hungry to step up a league and cheap in comparison on fee and wages signed up for 3 or 4 years whos to say he cant step up creswell did
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afcfee added 02:05 - Jul 2 Sell and invest in Didz contract
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afcfee added 02:06 - Jul 2 Sell and invest in Didz contract
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muccletonjoe added 05:36 - Jul 2 Not a good deal , selling anyone to one of your rivals is not good sense , but especially the leagues top scorer
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billlm added 07:26 - Jul 2 Sorry but for 5 years we have needed a right back
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MeenoITFC added 07:59 - Jul 2 I can see him going... I dont want him to, but i think he will
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BlueSwede added 08:03 - Jul 2 Just wondering what part of "We don't want to sell" the staff at Boro doesn't understand... Feels like someone should teach them the meaning of "don't".
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carsey added 08:49 - Jul 2 I think this hangs on Murphy and his decision. Personally I hope the fact he is a mature settled family man will make him say he wants to stay in Suffolk with Town unless a PL club comes in for him with a big money contract for his last couple of years in the game. Besides which we DON'T need another LB we DO need a RB
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ThatMuhrenCross added 08:58 - Jul 2 They can have Murphy if we can have Ayala and Friend. They were in the play-offs last season because of their defending, while we were in because of Murphy's goals. It's a far swap. As they're a rival, however, I'd want a considerable transfer fee too.
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Tufty added 09:10 - Jul 2 That's a good deal we get a second rate full back, they get a top quality striker - NOT
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SohoBlue added 09:24 - Jul 2 No. We don't need to sell, end of.
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MVBlue added 09:30 - Jul 2 Woodgate and 6 million
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Steve70 added 09:52 - Jul 2 Seen this lad play when he was at Doncaster. Unproven at our level. Thought he should have stayed @ Doncaster either loaned back to them or another club.
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itsonlyme added 10:43 - Jul 2 Bog off Boro' we said No and that normally means No in my books!
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:47 - Jul 2 I believe in MM and ME. They want progress = Promotion. They will NOT let Murph go to another Championship Club, but will sell for a decent offer to the Prem. As for Husband, he would just warm the bench - no point. Greg Halford is available on a free and has MM written all over him in terms of type of player. Should be the best RB in the division, but probably needs a challenge and not be used as a utility player as he has been at Forest. Get him in !!

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