Middlesbrough are reported to have made a £4.5 million offer for Town striker Daryl Murphy.

According to the Irish Sun, Boro have increased their bid having had a previous offer of around £4 million turned down by the Blues.

Three weeks ago, the same paper reported that Town had rebuffed an earlier £2.5 million bid from the Teessiders for Murphy.

The 32-year-old Irish international has been the subject of much speculation since netting 27 goals during 2014/15 with clubs from both the Premier League and Championship reported to have shown interest and we understand Boro are amongst those to have made an enquiry.

Last week, Cardiff City were reported to have ended their pursuit of Murphy, Town having apparently quoted them a fee in excess of £4 million.

Speaking yesterday, manager Mick McCarthy reiterated his intention to keep the Irish international at Portman Road: “We don’t want to sell Daryl Murphy, we don’t want to lose Daryl Murphy.

“He’s still on a break because he’s only had a couple of weeks [off since being away with Ireland]. That’s what I’ll be telling him, and his agent - we want to keep him.

“He was the outstanding striker in this league last season and it would be difficult to fill his boots. We’re going to try and keep him.”

Murphy, who previously played in the North-East with Sunderland, has said on a number of occasions he that he has no intention of leaving Town as he and his family are settled in Suffolk.

The Waterford-born 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

Jimmy86 added 09:20 - Jul 1 Definitely want to be keeping Murphy, but if he is going to go, I'd rather it be to a Prem team and not a potential rival for promotion, which boro would be. See how high they are willing to go though.
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rickw added 09:22 - Jul 1 It's a very good fee, however we don't need the money, so why sell to a promotion rival???
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ArnieM added 09:23 - Jul 1 Strangely enough I have no fears if its another Championship side which makes an offer, becasuse Murph is very unlikely to move to another Championship club. But an offer from a PL outfit, different prospect altogether, and If that did happen happen, at 32yrs of age both parties would havd to seriously consider things. I think Murphy will use this interest in him to secure an improved, longer deal with Town.

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miltonsnephew added 09:26 - Jul 1 Sell him, sorry I don't see him scoring 20+ again next season, and £4.5 mill for a 32 year old having a one off good season is too good to turn down. Re invest in another striker. Can definately see it happening in the wording of MIck M's wording, he knows bids are forth coming and is just awaiting the right offer. Which this may just be now.
1

hampstead_blue added 09:27 - Jul 1 Boro do have the ability to pay more, a lot more. Lead boots is the example. He would be our greatest loss. However, we've just got Jenny (Brett Pitman) and Sears will score 20 next season (mark my words!)..... I'd be gutted if he went.
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GeorgeITFC24 added 09:27 - Jul 1 £4 million plus Kike/ Lee Tomlin please
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miltonsnephew added 09:30 - Jul 1 Use the money to get JOE GARNER from Preston NE
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AbujaBlue added 09:32 - Jul 1 Absolute madness to sell a proven championship goal machine to a serious promotion rival next season. Would have to be more than 4.5 mil.
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Mr_Evans added 09:33 - Jul 1 Wowzer!! That's a heck of a lot of money for a 32 year old with one decent season. I do think Murphy would only go to another premierleague team.
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PJH added 09:34 - Jul 1 I agree that he is unlikely to score 27 goals next season for us or anyone else that he plays for BUT he is more than just a goalscorer for us. His hold up play,strength and ability in the air would all be missed if he left. I would be surprised if he did leave for another Championship side so unless a Premier league side come in with an acceptable offer(£4.5m for a 32 year old not too bad)I would think that he will still be with us. If he does leave,the addition of pace that we are getting would seem to suggest a possible change of playing style.

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andy_ipswich1990 added 09:37 - Jul 1 That's a really good offer and I think we should really consider that. I can't see Murphy scoring as many goals again. Looking at the players we are buying I can see our style of play changing hence with all these wingers we have got now. If we keep Murphy he needs to play upfront with sears and okay mcgoldrick just behing them. That's if mcgoldrixk looks like he wants to play. Can see Freddie sears being up at the sharp end for top scorers this season. Come on ipswich!!!!!

1

Cambonbleu added 09:38 - Jul 1 If this speculation is to stop, Murph himself needs to come out and say he's not going anywhere. I don't think that will happen, Middlesbrough wouldn't waste their time persistently bidding on a player who is absolutely not interested in a move - Murphy's agent will have indicated that he is interested otherwise why would Boro bother? £4.5 million for a 32 year old is a good price and while I wouldn't want to lose him, we could re-invest £2m in Chris Wood for instance which would be good business in my opinion.

1

lilcornishblue added 09:38 - Jul 1 look Murphy no doubt was an amazing striker last season but he is 32 and started to trail off a bit at the end of last season. Don't get me wrong i would be sad to see him go but 4.5 million is a lot of money we should take it and re-invest in the squad.
0

essextractorboy93 added 09:39 - Jul 1 Firstly, this was in the Sun so it's very unlikely it's true. Probably some interest and enquiries but that's it, Secondly, he is settled in the area with his family and loves the club. Thirdly, Middlesbrough are one of our direct rivals next season so we can't sell to them. If a Premier League club comes in and Murphy says he wants to go then surely that's the only way we would sell. All our strikers next season are capable of 15 goals. Exciting times!

1

MrBloo added 09:47 - Jul 1 It will all depend on what the bean counters have to say. The club may accept the bid, let Murphy talk to Boro and Murphy says no thanks. As others have said, that's a lot of money for a 32 year old. A last chance saloon if you want to cash in.
1

runaround added 09:49 - Jul 1 That's big money for a 32 year old but as others have said he is vital to our style of play under MM & I would rather he stays. The only reasons he should go is if he has set his sights on leaving ITFC & would not give 100% if he stayed or Mick is going to radically change our style of play. I can't see either is the case
1

newbsblue added 09:49 - Jul 1 If we were offered £4.5 million this time last year for Murph, I suspect that we would have bitten their hands off. Sometimes a deal is just too good to turn down, however much we want him to stay! I have no doubt that Mick has a cunning plan if it happens!!
1

TR11BLU added 09:52 - Jul 1 Sell, Sell, Sell If anyone is stupid enough to offer even half this amount....snatch their hand off. We already have next seasons championship top scorer in waiting (Sears), McGoldrick and Pitman. Get in another young hungry striker and weve cracked it. If Murphy reaches double figures next season (wherever he is) I will eat another hat. Thanks for the memories Daryl (last season only), see you later.

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ThatMuhrenCross added 09:55 - Jul 1 £4.5 million. Damn.... that's a lot for a 32 year old Championship striker! I'd be struggling to turn this down if I'm honest! As much as I love Murph, I can't see him scoring more than 15-17 goals next season.
1

Simonds92 added 09:57 - Jul 1 Good offer but who can we realistically replace him with? I've been hoping we'd go in for Joe Garner for a couple of years but with PNE being promoted and him being 'one of their own' I very much doubt that he'll leave. Then not really sure what strikers are about who would be anywhere near good enough to replace Murphy, as others have said he's so much more than just a goalscorer!

1

Steve70 added 09:58 - Jul 1 Let him go. I fear he may be a one season wonder and struggle to get 10 goals this season. 4.5 mill nice bid. Hope im wrong about being a 1 season wonder.
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SuffolkBlueSam added 10:01 - Jul 1 Its a strong bid. I'm worried we'll let him go and he'll become the next Kevin Phillips!
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cornishblu added 10:05 - Jul 1 Am afraid I am joking the sell brigade ...at this fee we would be mad not to sell a striker that has had one stand out season and who is 32....use the fee to bring in two top end young league 1 or league 2 strikers ...if only one of them work out we will still then cover our risk and outlay ...for me it's a no brainer . Mr Murphy thank you for last year ...without you we would never have enjoyed the season long run of anticipation ...but at this fee it's time for us to part ways ...enjoy !!

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cornishblu added 10:05 - Jul 1 ...aargh bloomin ipads ,...for joking read joining !!
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GavTWTD added 10:07 - Jul 1 We must not sell to a rival Championship club at ANY price.
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