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Josh Murphy remains a Portsmouth player – and EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal Pompey’s potential plan to keep hold of him.
The forward was the subject of interest from both Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion this summer, and our chief transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey revealed it was West Brom who led the way in the battle for his signature.
The arrival of former Pompey player Conor Chaplin on loan from Ipswich Town on deadline day sparked fan fears Murphy was leaving, but he remains at Fratton Park for the foreseeable.
He has been a key cog for John Mousinho’s side since he signed from Oxford United in the summer of 2024 – and while the south coast side are set on keeping hold of him, Bailey says Pompey will be making steps to ensure that can continue to be the case.
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Exclusive: Portsmouth could tie Josh Murphy down to a new deal
EFL Analysis’ Bailey says Portsmouth did not want to sell the 30-year-old this summer.
“I suspect that Pompey will try and tie him down to a new deal,” he says. “I believe that’s something they’ll be looking to do.”
Bailey believes the Championship club will be concerned if they can’t seal that deal in January.
“Let’s see how he gets on this season, but it’ll be one to keep an eye on,” he continues. “But I think Pompey will try and tie him down soon.”
Murphy has made 45 appearances for Mousinho’s side already, scoring seven goals and grabbing 15 assists in that time.
How has Josh Murphy started this season?
In Pompey’s second season back in the second tier following promotion from League One, Murphy has already made an impact.
He missed the first league clash against his former club Oxford and the first round League Cup clash against Reading.
However he has started the following three of Pompey’s Championship games, grabbing one assist in that time.
His role has been much bigger than his goal contribution stats suggest, though. Murphy has completed 14 progressive carries this season, with the second-highest number coming from Callum Lang with a total of six.