Pundit touts Josh Murphy for Derby County ahead of Portsmouth, QPR and West Brom

HIGHLIGHTS

•  Carlton Palmer believes Derby County is the best fit for Josh Murphy.
•  Oxford’s head coach Des Buckingham is keen to keep Murphy at the club.
•  Murphy’s decision on his next move will need to balance game time and financial security.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Derby County would be the best fit for Josh Murphy if he decides to leave Oxford United this summer.

Murphy enjoyed an excellent season for Oxford in League One this campaign, and he scored both goals in the U’s 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday to secure promotion to the Championship.

The winger had already attracted interest before his standout performance in the final, with several clubs like Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Sunderland, and Queens Park Rangers monitoring his progress. This week, Derby County, Portsmouth, Stoke City, and Blackburn Rovers have also entered the race for his signature.

Murphy’s contract with the Kassam Stadium expires this summer, but Oxford is in discussions with the 29-year-old regarding a new deal. Head coach Des Buckingham has expressed his desire to retain Murphy, stating, “I may have had a chat with him when we were up on the gantry lifting the trophy. We’ll do as much as we can to try and keep Josh here.”

Buckingham praised Murphy as a wonderful person and a skilled player who aligns well with the team’s playing style. The club is determined to do everything possible to secure his continued presence.

Carlton Palmer issues verdict on Josh Murphy’s future

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Derby would be the best move for Murphy if he decides against signing a new deal at Oxford, but he believes the winger should be cautious about leaving a club where he has thrived.

“Derby, Portsmouth, QPR and West Brom have all joined the race to sign Josh Murphy,” Palmer said.

“He’s had an outstanding season for Oxford United, culminating in them being promoted to the Championship, and Josh duly obliged in the play-off final, scoring the two goals to get Oxford promoted.

“He’s out of contract, he’s 29 years old, he’s very experienced, and he’s available on a free.

“This puts him in a very, very good position in terms of getting the best contract he can, but also from Josh’s point of view, he’s got to look at where he’s going to get plenty of game time.

“He’s rediscovered his form at Oxford, he’s done really well under Des Buckingham.

“Obviously at 29, he wants to get the best deal, this is a very important contract for him, but he’s also got to think about where he’s loved and where he can play his best football, and he’s been outstanding at Oxford.

“Sometimes it’s better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know, but it’s a short career, we all know too well that when you’re finishing at 38 or 39, you can’t just live off nostalgia, so he has to get the best deal for himself.

“For me personally, Oxford have come up, but you look at the sides that are interested in Derby, Portsmouth, QPR and West Brom, they’re all going to have money to be at the top end of the table.

“Oxford are newly-promoted, and it’s going to be difficult for them next season..

“Would he be guaranteed game time at the likes of West Brom and QPR every week? Doubt it.

“I believe he would get the chance of playing week-in and week-out at Derby and Portsmouth.

“So it depends, I think Derby, if he doesn’t decide to stay at Oxford, would be the best fit for him under Paul Warne.

“But I’m sure Oxford will pull out all the stops to try and keep him at the football club.”

Josh Murphy should stay at Oxford United this summer

Murphy faces a significant decision regarding his future in the upcoming summer transfer window. The winger’s career trajectory took a positive turn with Buckingham’s arrival at Oxford in November, leading to outstanding performances that have caught the attention of other clubs.

Potential suitors such as QPR and West Brom could offer Murphy higher wages than Oxford. However, there are concerns about the amount of playing time he might receive at these clubs. Additionally, with both Portsmouth and Derby achieving promotion from League One alongside Oxford, the appeal of moving to either of those clubs may not represent a substantial leap forward in his career.

Despite the tempting offers from elsewhere, Murphy seems to have settled well at Oxford and found a conducive environment for his development. While competing in the Championship with Oxford may present challenges, committing his future to the club could be the best decision for his career at this stage.

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