Town are once again close to signing Sunderland striker or left midfielder Daryl Murphy. The 26-year-old, who played under Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light, almost joined the Blues in the summer, even passing a medical before the move broke down.
Personal terms and interest from Premier League Hull City led to the switch collapsing after a fee of £1.5 million rising to £2.5 million had been agreed with Sunderland for the former Waterford United man, who had several spells on trial with the Blues in the 2004/05 season before signing for the Black Cats.
However, the potential move has resurfaced on a number of occasions during the following months and it’s little surprise that Murphy is again being targeted by the Blues.
The 6ft 3in tall frontman or wide player will sign on loan for the rest of the season before the transfer window closes at 5pm on Monday with a view to the switch being made permanent in the summer.
Murphy, who is contracted to Sunderland until 2012, has made four starts and three sub appearances for the Black Cats this season without scoring, appearing most recently in the 7-2 defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.
Coincidentally, the Irish international played youth football with recent Town signing the unrelated Brian Murphy when they were growing up in their home town of Waterford.