Portsmouth’s Josh Murphy has surfaced as a key transfer target for Leicester City ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.
The winger joined Pompey on a free transfer last year after excelling as Oxford secured promotion to the Championship, and he delivered an outstanding first season at Fratton Park, netting seven goals and providing 14 assists in 42 matches for John Mousinho’s team.
His significance to the squad is evident, and Pompey will be aiming to center their plans around the 30-year-old going forward.
Leicester City targeting late transfer move for Portsmouth’s Josh Murphy:
However, it seems they may face a challenge to keep Murphy, as Football Insider has disclosed that Leicester are making a strong push to acquire the player.
The report states he is the ‘number one target’ for Marti Cifuentes in the coming days, as he seeks to inject more flair into his attack.
Leicester recently transferred Kasey McAteer to Ipswich, while uncertainty surrounds Bilal El Khannouss’s future, so it’s unsurprising that Leicester are looking to bolster their squad, even with Stephy Mavididi, Abdul Fatawu, and Jeremy Monga still in the ranks.
Josh Murphy is a proven Championship player and could aid Leicester City’s promotion effort:
Cifuentes is aiming to establish a dynamic, attacking style of play at the King Power Stadium, and he requires high-quality options on the flanks to execute that vision.
While the club already boasts some exceptional talents, an additional option would be highly valuable, and Murphy is a player who has demonstrated he can make a significant impact at this level.
He was exceptional for Pompey last season, with his statistics particularly notable for a team that wasn’t contending for a top-six position.
Naturally, the transfer fee will be a deciding factor in whether this is viewed as a smart move, and it remains uncertain what Leicester would be prepared to offer for Murphy, who has two years remaining on his contract.
Given his age, some may argue that Leicester should target a player who can contribute over the long term, but the immediate priority is securing promotion back to the Premier League, and Murphy would undoubtedly assist in that goal.
However, given his importance to Pompey, they will be reluctant to release him with only days left in the transfer window, as they face a tight timeline to find a replacement, even if an acceptable offer is made, making this a situation to watch closely.