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

According to the Irish Independent, the Blues have rebuffed the bid, which was first reported in the Irish Sun this morning, with Boro said to have had an earlier offer of around £4 million previously turned down.

Three weeks ago, the Irish Sun reported that Town had rejected a previous £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 were amongst those to make an enquiry earlier in the summer.

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. West Brom are believed to be the most interested of the linked Premier League clubs.

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.

Elsewhere, former Blues loanee Chris Wood, 23, has joined Leeds United from Leicester City, signing a four-year deal, the clubs having agreed a fee reported to be in the region of £2 million.

Photo: Action Images

SouperJim added 11:25 - Jul 1 Even if a fee was agreed, would Murph agree terms somewhere else and uproot his family? Think it'd have to be a big pay day on offer.
5

ericclacton added 11:26 - Jul 1 Ilove it when we rebuff bids!
10

dirtyboy added 11:39 - Jul 1 Essentially, Marcus Evans has just backed McCarthy with another £4.5m. If supporters can't see how well supported McCarthy is, they're deluded. I think we will see one more addition before the season though.
35

MickMillsTash added 11:39 - Jul 1 Where have Leeds and M'Boro got their money from? Looks like we need to make a decision to give Murphy a big contract and signing on fee or sell him
1

shaunkingitfc added 11:39 - Jul 1 I don't know what to say a very good offer but will he score goals this season... I would proubly say about 15-20 goals Murphy will get .. Ipswich could get good players for that money but one thing will macu let us buy players or will they come to ipswich I'm 50/50 about that
-5

blue_movies added 11:43 - Jul 1 If MM is going to play hoof ball there is no way we should let him go. What would we do then? Punt it up to Tabb?
-3

dubblue added 11:51 - Jul 1 This is positive news it would have been tempting to take £4.5m for a 32 year old with one year left on his contract. Shows how valuable he is to us, it helps he and his family are settled in Ipswich.
2

Michael11 added 11:56 - Jul 1 I might get slaughtered for this but I'd personally snap their hands off for £4.5m. That's a huge sum of money for a 32 year old who's so far only had one prolific season in his whole career. With £4.5m plus the £8m from Mings, we could buy a few key players with real quality.
3

hampstead_blue added 11:56 - Jul 1 4.5m for a 32 yr old? All I need say is "Ricky Lambert". 1 good season and the Saints cashed-in....kerching. I'd say that whilst we've already banked a good transfer fund so the need to sell has receded. If they raise the offer, we can't really refuse!
8

dirtydingusmagee added 11:58 - Jul 1 i dont want to see Murphy go,he may never have a better season than the last one ,but he is good for another season,so really hope .Whilst we need to strengthen the side ,i dont think it will be good to start season with too many new faces.The team was settled last term.
3

MVBlue added 12:16 - Jul 1 To add context to our offers, Good Premiership keeper Asmir Begovic, who was top draw when on loan here in 2009, was valued at 6.5m by Chelsea. So fees have not increased astronomically, we just have very good players :)
1

ITFCGloryDays added 12:18 - Jul 1 Away from the Murphy story, 2 million pounds for Chris Wood or £100,000 for Freddie Sears. I think I know who's had the better deal.
27

SohoBlue added 12:20 - Jul 1 £8m plus and if Daryl really feels he wants to go, then so be it (I hope he stays but for the right reasons). I'd also love to hope we might have a story of loyalty and mutual respect here - one that actually transcended the money men and commercial needs of the modern game. At least retrospectively! Time will tell.
3

PJH added 12:35 - Jul 1 As has been said by most of the sensible posters,there are reasons both for turning down this sort of money but also reasons to accept it. Murphy brings much more than goals to our team but on the other hand he is not likely to produce the number of goals he did last season,again. If we have indeed received this offer and turned it down,it is good news. If increased offers are made there is bound to be some point where one is accepted,then it would be up to Murph to do what is best for him and his family.

6

TR11BLU added 12:36 - Jul 1 Leeds have been mugged......................
3

itfcjon added 12:44 - Jul 1 At least if we did punt the ball up field to Tabb he would win more in the. Air then the taller players
1

SMS added 12:46 - Jul 1 £4.5 mill for a 32 year old who's previous best return was 11 goals in a season? We really should be selling here. I love Murph, but commercially, it is foolish to turn this down.
-6

muccletonjoe added 13:02 - Jul 1 Leeds have got a very good striker at a reasonable price
-2

Jimmy86 added 13:14 - Jul 1 SMS Murphy's previous best was the 13 goals he scored 2 seasons ago.... he's so important to us and with better service from our new wide players, he could still score 20 goals this season
5

earlsgreenblue added 13:23 - Jul 1 WHAT IF ? So if DM did go, 8M or so in the bank already, the FFP rules or whatever its called now, how long do the club have to spend that cash? Can it be part or all carried over to the next financial year? Does it mean the Mings funds have to be spent this season, be it signing on fees, transfer fees, wages, etc. If it does then for heavens sake keep Murph!
1

Philip added 13:27 - Jul 1 Hampstead blue - I love Murph but my old man (a saints fan) would never forgive me if I let that one go -. 31, 21, 27, 15, 13 goals over 5 seasons hardly equates to "one good season"!
1

Lord_Mac added 13:34 - Jul 1 It's the same fee that we rebuffed from Cardiff - nothing has changed here.
0

rickw added 13:35 - Jul 1 I still expect Murphy to score 15-20 and am happy we've turned down £4.5m for him - look at the end goal - promotion worth £120m, selling any first team player is the gamble!!
4

tractorshark added 13:39 - Jul 1 The money may make sense but you've got to replace Murphy's goals and contribution. I'm not sure £4.5m would do that, particularly if you base it on his efforts last season. There's also the small matter of a replacement being available and wanting to come here. If we sell, the price should be higher and an alternative lined up. We have finally got a winger who can beat someone and cross the ball. Why would you sell the one guy who can benefit from that?

8

tractorfact added 13:41 - Jul 1 Totally agree where the hell have boro got this money from ???? Dont wanna see murph go but id want all the money up front if he did If bid correct we cant be far off from having to except it. Prob holding out for 5 mill Murph cant better last seasons tally can he..... Everyone has a price eh
-3

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls