Boss Mick McCarthy says he is confident that Town will keep hold of 27-goal Championship top scorer Daryl Murphy, with the 32-year-old Irishman wanting to stay at Portman Road.

Asked by BBC Radio Suffolk how confident he is that the club can hang on to Murphy, the subject of much speculation during the close season, McCarthy said: “No problem at all. I think first and foremost he wants to stay, he loves it here.

“I know there are other mitigating factors which can put the spanner in the works from time to time, but I think we’ll have him at the start of the season."

Murphy has consistently said that he has no plans to leave 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.

McCarthy says the former Waterford, Sunderland and Celtic man wouldn’t be easy to replace if he were to move on: “Of course, how do you do that?

“That’s why he causes so much interest because there are not that many around. I do feel that we have helped nurture his career, and it’s in his latter years the best part of his career - 27 goals was his best haul.

“And I think he enjoys it here, he’s got the number nine on his back, he’s got good mates here, I think his family are settled here and he loves the club. And the feeling’s mutual, we all love him. So, let’s hope it does happen and he stays.”

Middlesbrough, who had a £4.5 million offer for Murphy turned down last month, and are claimed to have made another offer, according to one report this morning, are understood to be close to completing the signing of 6ft 2in tall Uruguayan international striker Christian Stuani, which may signal an end to their interest in the Blues frontman.

Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday - who are the club believed to have made the audacious loan offer McCarthy revealed at the weekend - and Norwich City are amongst a host of other clubs understood to have shown interest in the 14-times-capped Irish international during the summer.

Murphy, David McGoldrick and Christophe Berra were all back at the club on Monday after being given an additional two weeks off having been away on international duty until mid-June.

Photo: Action Images

theipswichman added 10:34 - Jul 15 If Murph gets 15 next season i'll be happy, with the other strikers we have I don't think we will have to rely as much on Murph this season.
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SohoBlue added 10:38 - Jul 15 Help us finish the job, Murph. Premiership next year after a storming Championship run, please! (I'm sure there's a healthy bonus scheme in place if we get to the top!) COYB - this season!!!
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blueblood66 added 10:49 - Jul 15 Song for the Sheffield Wednesday home game ..MURPHY ON LOAN? YOUR HAVING A LAUGH!
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Lightningboy added 11:01 - Jul 15 "He's got the number 9 on his back" Proper old skool. Brilliant!
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TimmyH added 11:11 - Jul 15 Be good for the season if he stays...now for McG also to stay and hopefully a few more additions and let's see where it gets us.
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bluefeast added 11:15 - Jul 15 MM says he is positive in terms of having Murphy at the start of the season. This is because he won't go to a championship club , if a perm club comes in during august then thats where murph will be off to.
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Jimmy86 added 11:18 - Jul 15 One way to gurantee him staying is to offer him a new, improved contract, based on what he achieved last season Mick, just a thought. Tie him down, so he can finish his playing days here at town!!!
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TheSelkirk added 11:26 - Jul 15 It would be nice for Mick to just say that Murph is not for sale. Given his comments above, and previously, it's almost as if there are influencial factors beyond his control. A big enough offer would swing it perhaps?
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Rimsy added 12:01 - Jul 15 Stating he's not for sale would make no difference. Of course there are factors beyond his control. If a prem club come in with a big offer, Murphy and the club would have to listen. Everybody's got a price.
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Len_Brennan added 12:09 - Jul 15 Many players have been described as "Not for sale" and we're subsequently sold when the money was right. To be fair to Mick he has always acknowledged the reality of the market. I think this is categoric as we can ever expect from him. Mick wants him to stay, Murph wants to stay, the fans want him to stay & the owner is not demanding money from transfer fees. It does appear that he is staying. The only possible "spanner", as Mick puts it, is a ridiculous offer financially, both to the club & the player, from a Premiership club. Otherwise, why would he want to move & why would the club let him??

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BlueandTruesince82 added 12:41 - Jul 15 Daniel Sturrige was not for sale, Suarez was not sale, and many others, in the modern game every player has his price but the indication is he will only go for over the odds dollar. We do need a rousing Murph based song though don't we
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muccletonjoe added 13:02 - Jul 15 Sounds like it's pretty safe to say, he will still be here at the start of the season
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commuterblue added 14:16 - Jul 15 Murphy number 9, McGoldrick number 10. Can't think of many Championship clubs where Pitman wouldn't get a "starting" number. Seriously when was the last time our strike force (Sears) had so much quality? Bent and Kuqi were great together but no the same depth. Come to think of it when has any Championship team has this depth in quality up front?
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tomitfc added 14:17 - Jul 15 Exciting breaking news coming soon 👍🏿
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