Premier League Stoke City are the latest club understood to be considering a summer move for much-fancied Blues striker Daryl Murphy.

According to some reports, Potters boss Mark Hughes views Town’s 27-goal Championship top scorer as a potential replacement for ex-Blues skipper Jon Walters, who is being linked with West Brom where Stoke’s former manager Tony Pulis is now in charge.

Irish international Murphy has been the subject of much speculation since the end of the season. Last week Middlesbrough were claimed to have had a £2.5 million offer turned down, while Cardiff were reported to have him at the top of their summer wish-list.

Newly-relegated Burnley and QPR as well as Fulham have also been mentioned in connection with the 32-year-old, along with the other demoted former Premier League team Hull City, who were previously linked in January.

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 former Waterford, Sunderland and Celtic frontman signed a new contract with Town last July, which has another year left to run with the Blues having an option to extend it for a further season.

Photo: Action Images

warktheline added 10:18 - Jun 19 If a prem club comes in for Murphy he will go. A last shot on the big stage, who could blame him!
7

Superblue95 added 10:18 - Jun 19 Can't see this happening. Sadly it looks like this speculation over Murphy could go on a while
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 10:26 - Jun 19 £8-£10mill to do a deal.....? Discuss
0

Ipswichbusiness added 10:28 - Jun 19 I agree with warktheline; if a premiership club came in with an offer for him then he would be a fool to say no. Not only would he get the chance of top flight football, but there would be a huge wage rise in it for him. He would also suit Stoke's style of play. However, I hope that Superblue95 is correct and that he stays.
5

TR11BLU added 10:29 - Jun 19 Am I the only one on here who thinks 2.5M for an ageing striker, who had a one off season that will unlikely be repeated, would be good business? Great memories of last season, he owes us nothing and if it is true, who could blame him a last big pay day? Personally I dont think he's premier class so not fazed either way.
5

theipswichman added 10:34 - Jun 19 I think this comment is ridiculous ^^ the way I see murphy is worth 4-5 million to us however he's not worth this to other clubs, which means he'll stay. The reason for the bump in price with our valuation is not only because of his goals but how vital he is with the way we play, do we all remember wigan without him, punting balls up to Hunt and Mcgoldrick?
5

ArnieM added 10:35 - Jun 19 It's a difficult one isn't it. Murph offers more than just goals. Question is couldwe replace those attributes at a price we can afford?
1

Lord_Mac added 10:40 - Jun 19 >If a prem club comes in for Murphy he will go. < In which case why does he keep saying that he won't? "...while Murphy has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of leaving Town as he and his family are settled in Suffolk." In any event, we can also say No - we don't have to sell and we wouldn't get silly money for him anyway. It would probably cost us more to replace him than to keep him (in fees plus wages), so it's not in our interests to let him go. In addition to which, he's unlikely to have a golden season like the last one, whoever he plays for. I reckon Sears is the one more likely to be the one who gets 20+ goals, and meanwhile MM will be busy looking at someone to replace Murphy for 2016-17.

3

Guru_of_Ipswich added 10:42 - Jun 19 It would take a crazy offer to even consider it, his workrate is immense and I doubt many strikers wouldn't even get close to it. But if say the offer was in the region of 5-6million and MM and TC have identified a suitable and younger option to replace him then it must be considered. Saying that, Murphs for the first time in a long long while is settled with his family, so perhaps the money isn't important to him at this stage of his career and he may not want to move which is fine by me.

4

andygizmo added 10:45 - Jun 19 Irreplaceable. No. Look how other clubs have found big strong and fast strikers at reasonable prices. He did well last year but whenever I have seen him at International Level he looks slower than those around him. He had a good season last year but the legs will go and why not take the moeny and give him a go at the big time. I can see him going and unfortunately not quite making it but good luck to him all the same.

4

PMK added 10:47 - Jun 19 Surely a (hopefully) fully fit strike force of Murphy, McGoldrick and Sears is paramount to another chance at the premiership. If there is no financial pressure then neither should be leaving IMO.
11

TheSelkirk added 10:53 - Jun 19 I can't see Murphy having another season like the last one to be honest. I am cautiously optimistic that Freddie will come good next season and will be our principal goal scorer. IF Murphy goes, good luck to him. It would be understandable that, at his age, he would consider a pop at the Premiership to be worthwhile. As with every summer, I am hoping against hope that the transfer talk is not just about players leaving and that we will soon see some credible stories about us making some quality additions to our own team / squad. Overly optimistic perhaps?

6

potteriestractorboy added 11:08 - Jun 19 Its all speculation at the moment , i live in stoke on trent and there has been several mentions of Murphy in to replace a departing walters, They (Stoke) used to play long ball game but with mark hughes in charge their game is now a more of physical, passing game . Murphy might struggle to fit into their squad of get game time at stoke so cant see any deal been done if he is just gonna be a fringe player there rather than a guarnteed 1st team man as he is at ITFC.

2

BiGDonnie added 11:18 - Jun 19 Really can't see it being Stoke if he was to go, they've just signed a Spanish striker.
0

ThatMuhrenCross added 11:20 - Jun 19 £8m + Walters please.
-2

Michael11 added 11:35 - Jun 19 Anything above £4m should be seriously considered. There's no evidence that he'll have another season like the one he's just had and he's 32 years old and getting no younger. He's been a good servant to the club and deserves a last shot at the big time if he gets the chance in my opinion. Using the £4m+ from him and the £8m+ from Mings could improve our squad significantly.

5

rickw added 11:38 - Jun 19 Murphy is worth a lot more to us than he would be to any Premier League club looking for a squad player - he could be vital to us getting the £120m promotion, so why should we sell him for £2.5m regardless of his age???? I don't expect him to get another 27 goals again, however if he gets 15-20 I think Sears (for a full season) and a fit McGoldrick can make up the extra goals. Stoke have Joselu, Crouch, Diouf, Bojan, Odemwingie, Moses and Walters is still currently there - so I can't see they're going to pay over the odds to tempt us into selling our main goal threat....

2

TimmyH added 11:40 - Jun 19 Can't see him here at the beginning of the season - if he goes for 2M+ we should take it..as others have said at 32 will he have another season like he's just had?, the answer probably no.
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joshITFCporter added 11:41 - Jun 19 Swap deal for Bojan?
1

heady added 11:54 - Jun 19 Sell him & McGoldrick - bring in Nathan Ellington, Rory Fallon & Stern John
1

warktheline added 11:59 - Jun 19 Up until last season Murphy was no more than a journey man, the present management have managed to up his overall game, but as some have said, will he be able to produce another season at this level, and if so, at 32, for how much longer? Again short memories on forum, many said prior to last season that Murphy wasn't the man for scoring bags of goals, so why now, do so many believe we couldn't do without him? With all things considered, if a top flight club offered him a bag full of money on a two year contract, I'm quite positive, Murphy wouldn't be saying "I'm settled here in sleepy Suffolk"....some need to get realistic !

8

MitchtheITFCman added 12:09 - Jun 19 I'm a huge fan of Murphy and don't want him to leave but if there was a decent offer that came in for him froma premier league club i don't think we would stop him from leaving. I hope you stay Murph but good luck in the prem
4

mikeybloo88 added 12:16 - Jun 19 Hand on hearts, how many really think Murph is Prem class? I'd be surprised if an established Prem team went for him.
2

MeenoITFC added 12:18 - Jun 19 I still cant believe people are talking about 'AGE' and how he wont perform. his 33? Had the best season of his life. Why cant he repeat it? Your full of sh*t, Murphy is coming back scoring 20+ again next season.
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MeenoITFC added 12:18 - Jun 19 I still cant believe people are talking about 'AGE' and how he wont perform. his 33? Had the best season of his life. Why cant he repeat it? Your full of sh*t, Murphy is coming back scoring 20+ again next season.
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