Bohemians keeper Brian Murphy has confirmed that he is closing in on his move to the Blues but says his free Bosman move is not yet officially done and dusted. Earlier this month, TWTD was first to reveal that the 26-year-old had been at Portman Road for a medical and is set to join the club in November at the end of the Irish season.
A subsequent report claimed Murphy had already signed his pre-contract agreement but the former Manchester City and Swansea man says he is yet to put pen to paper, while there has been further speculation that his move might occur before the transfer window closes on September 1st, something the player says could happen but is not expecting: "There is still nothing signed or officially agreed between me and Ipswich, though things are moving in the right direction in terms of a move.
"But if something does happen, I don't think it will be until this season here is finished. I can't see myself going anywhere before then.
"Of course things could be taken out of my hands and if Ipswich, or any other club, makes Bohs an offer for me then it will be up to [Bohemians manager] Pat Fenlon and the club to decide what to do.
"But as far as I am concerned I am under contract with Bohs until the season is finished in November, so I'd expect to be still here, no matter what is happening at Ipswich.”
Town signed former academy schoolboy Arran Lee-Barrett on a short-term deal last week after Shane Supple’s departure and it is likely that the ex-Hartlepool keeper will remain with the Blues until Murphy is available to play when the transfer window reopens in January.
In the meantime, Murphy says he has been watching how Town have started the season: "I have been keeping an eye on their games and obviously they are on a bad run at the moment, but the Championship is a very strange league and teams can start picking up points and moving up the table very quickly.
"I don't expect them to be down the wrong end of the table for too long, especially with the manager they have in charge.”
Last week Murphy was watched by Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant Marco Tardelli as he kept his 18th clean sheet of the season during his side’s 5-0 victory over Galway.