Blackburn Rovers join Derby County, Portsmouth in 16-goal/assist star chase

Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City have joined the race for Oxford United winger Josh Murphy, TEAMtalk has said.
Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City will be joined in the Championship by Derby County, Portsmouth and Oxford United for the 2024/25 campaign.

Pompey lifted the League One title, while the Rams finished 2nd and the yellows won the play-offs.

Winger Josh Murphy was key as Des Buckingham’s side made a successful surge into the top six. His return of six goals and four assists over the last two months of the season earned the U’s 6th spot, before bagging a brace in the win over Bolton Wanderers in the final.

Overall he managed 16 goal contributions, with 10 goals and six assists.

Murphy reportedly wants to remain with Oxford United, but fellow promoted sides Portsmouth and Derby are keen. Now, it is claimed Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City have joined the race.

TEAMtalk states Rovers and the Potters have expressed their interest in the 29-year-old, who sees his two-year deal at the Kassam Stadium expire this summer.

Heading for the Championship

Regardless of whose colours he’s donning come the start of next season, it looks as though Murphy will be playing Championship football once more after a drop to League One.

The second-tier is a level he’s more than familiar with, coming through the youth ranks at Norwich City before spending spells with Cardiff City and Preston North End (loan).

His time with the Bluebirds and the Canaries also saw him tested in the Premier League. Murphy made nine appearances in the top-flight with the latter and managed three goals and two assists in 29 Premier League games for Cardiff.

Now though, having rediscovered his dangerous best in the third-tier, it seems the Championship awaits once more.

Interested clubs set for disappointment?
Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Portsmouth and Derby County are all high profile clubs and their interest may well be tempting for Murphy as he weighs up his options coming into next season.

However, with the winger more than happy at Oxford United under Buckingham’s lead, it would not be a surprise to see him pen new terms and stay with the club as they rise to the Championship.

The Yellows will certainly be hoping that’s what he opts for. Losing a key player as a step up in competition awaits will not be ideal.

Time will tell what decision Murphy comes to, but he certainly looks to have his options heading into the summer.