Derby County have shown an interest in Oxford United winger Josh Murphy and now his father has dropped an update on his future.
Paul Warne is looking to bolster his Derby squad with attacking quality ahead of a gruelling Championship campaign.
The Rams scored the joint-fewest goals of sides that finished in the top six of League One last term, so firepower is a must if they are to remain in the division.
Derby have been linked with Charlton Athletic goal machine Alfie May, Sheffield Wednesday striker Josh Windass while we exclusively revealed that Oxford winger Josh Murphy is of interest.
The former Norwich City star is attracting half a dozen Championship clubs after firing Oxford into the second tier with two goals in the play-off final.
U’s coach Des Buckingham has revealed that a contract has been put on the table for Murphy – who scored 10 goals and supplied six assists in all competitions last term – while his Dad has now dropped an even bigger hint on his future.
Josh Murphy’s Dad reveals his ‘preference’ after links to Derby County
Murphy’s Dad, John, described their day out at Wembley for Oxford’s 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers as “one of the best of his life” after watching his son bag a brace.
The 29-year-old looks settled at his current club and will be excited about playing Championship football next term.
Whilst there is a lot of interest in his services, especially with his contract expiring, John Murphy has put those initial rumours to bed by claiming his ‘preference’ is to stay at Oxford having claimed the manager has got the best out of him.
As per the Oxford Mail, he said: “The manager [Des Buckingham] and Josh work really well together, Des trusts Josh and I think he has got the best out of him.
“It has helped with Josh having a son, Aaro, who came along in October and he has a really good partner
“Everything has just clicked at the right time.
“The first year at Oxford wasn’t great but I think anyone would have taken that at Wembley.”
Josh Murphy is the type of winger Derby County need
It seems highly unlikely that Murphy signs for Derby this summer, as it looks as though he could remain at Oxford and if he chooses to leave, other clubs look more of an attractive proposition.
Someone of Murphy’s ilk, though, is exactly what Warne needs to add to his squad this summer.
The Englishman is blessed with electric pace and precise dribbling; attributes Derby currently lack in the final third and ones that can change a game in an instant.
Warne has already said he wants to add more athleticism to his squad, which points towards him looking at some younger players, so expect a couple of pacey attackers to arrive through the door this summer.
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