Josh Murphy has spoken on his future at Oxford United amid interest from Sunderland and a number of Championship clubs.
Josh Murphy has enjoyed a spectacular second half of the campaign with Oxford, having failed to score until February.
After a spell out of the team, the winger returned with a bang and went onto net six goals and provide four assists in 15 matches.
Murphy helped the U’s reach the League One play-offs and scored a huge brace in the final at the weekend, sending his team to the Championship.
The 29-year-old’s heroics at Wembley come shortly after reports linked him with a move to the second tier alone.
Sunderland were one of a number of clubs who had sent scouts to watch Murphy in action in their 5-0 win over Peterborough United last month, in which he bagged a goal and an assist.
Jacob Murphy addresses his future
Murphy is out of contract this summer and it seemed likely he would leave if they failed to win promotion, but their play-off victory casts even more doubt over his future.
The attacker did speak on his contract situation after the game though, telling BBC Radio Oxford: “I want to play as high as I can. I think I owe it to myself, to my family, and to the club. We’re in the Championship now, so let’s see what happens.
“I just want to take my mind off everything. It’s been a long season, a tough season, and I just want to enjoy myself.”
Sunderland could dodge a bullet if he stays at Oxford United
Murphy will have a long list of clubs queueing up for his signature if he decides not to sign a new contract, but he won’t want to get ahead of himself.
The forward really hasn’t had much luck in the Championship during his career, netting only 24 goals in 199 appearances in the second division.
This season’s tally of eight goals in the normal season is the highest he has ever achieved and he isn’t exactly at an age where he will be getting any better.
Murphy could choose to stick with the club where he has enjoyed his recent success, but that could be a bullet dodged for Sunderland.
The Black Cats are looking to replace one of the best wingers in the league in Jack Clarke, so his replacement is going to have to be exceptional for supporters not to feel disappointed.
The man to do that surely won’t be Murphy, and he certainly won’t be willing to join a club where he will be back-up either.
There is no surprise that his form has attracted attention, but fans will likely soon see why he was playing in the third tier.