TWTD understands that Daryl Murphy is now at Portman Road as the Blues get closer to completing his season-long loan move from Celtic. The 29-year-old looks certain to be a Town player in time to line-up against Huddersfield at Portman Road on Saturday.
Murphy, who was an unused sub for the Bhoys in their Champions League victory over Helsingborgs IF last night but only as the SPL club were short on cover due to injuries, flew south this morning with the details of the deal likely to be resolved either this evening or tomorrow.
The Irish international’s Celtic contract is up at the end of the season and the clubs have been negotiating the proportion of his wages that Town will pay during the year ahead.
Murphy has always been keen on a return to Suffolk with his family having settled in the area during his two previous spells.
At the end of last season, Town boss Paul Jewell said he wanted Murphy back at Portman Road for 2012/13 but felt that a permanent deal would be beyond the club’s means with the midfielder or striker on a big money at Parkhead.
Meanwhile, efforts are still ongoing to resolve the red tape issues which have prevented French midfielder Cheick Kourouma from signing his contract with the Blues.
The club need assurances from all the sides the 20-year-old has played for since he was 12 that they will waive development compensation which is technically due to them under FIFA rules.