Middlesbrough are reported to have had a £2.5 million offer for striker Daryl Murphy turned down by the Blues, while newly-relegated Burnley and Fulham are also said to have joined the clubs interested in Town’s 27-goal Championship top scorer.
According to this morning’s Irish Sun the Blues have rebuffed a Boro bid for the 32-year-old, who is currently with the Ireland squad ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland in Dublin.
Murphy, who was linked with Hull City in January, is also claimed to be on Burnley manager Sean Dyche’s three-man shortlist of potential replacements for Danny Ings, who has joined Liverpool, while the Cottagers are also said to have joined Cardiff City - who were recently reported to have Murphy top of their summer wish list - in making their interest in the former Waterford, Sunderland Celtic man known to Town.
Manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans have both said they are determined to keep hold of the Blues' key players this summer, while Murphy has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of leaving Town as he and his family are settled in Suffolk.
The Irishman signed a new contract with Town last July, which has another year left to run. However, contrary to this morning’s report, it’s unlikely that Murphy would be a free agent next summer with that deal also including an option for the Blues to extend it for a further season.