Town are reported to have begun talks with Sunderland regarding Daryl Murphy’s permanent move to Portman Road. Murphy has been on loan with the Blues since January, scoring six goals in 18 games.
Town boss Roy Keane is said to be keen to get the deal done quickly with other clubs believed to be interested in the 27-year-old Irish international.
Murphy is contracted to the Black Cats for another two years and is believed to earn in excess of £20,000-a-week, around double Town’s top wage. However, the clubs were believed to have agreed a fee of £1.5 million rising to £2.5 million last summer prior to his switch breaking down and it is likely that Sunderland would be willing to settle the former Waterford United man's contract given that he is very much out of Steve Bruce's plans.
The player himself is understood to be happy at Portman Road and keen to stay with the club where he previously spent time on trial in 2004/05 prior to joining Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Celtic and Coventry are the latest clubs to be linked with Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper, who is also said to be interesting Town, Derby, QPR and Leeds. The former Grays man is now claimed to be worth £2 million, a £1 million up on the value quoted in last week’s papers.