Sunderland have missed out on a free agent who could have replaced Jack Clarke.
Sunderland are almost two weeks into the transfer window and are yet to lose any of their key players, but will still be planning for life after Jack Clarke.
The winger has attracted interest from half the Premier League, with Southampton reportedly eager to snap him up alongside Anthony Patterson.
Having bagged 15 goals and four assists last season, the Black Cats will desperately need a player to comfortably replace him once he leaves.
Sunderland have been linked with a number of players, but one whose name has refused to go away is Josh Murphy.
The Championship club had been linked with the Oxford United winger for months now, but his contribution to their promotion had made him a wanted man.
After claiming 12 goal contributions in the final 18 games of the campaign, the likes of Sunderland, Derby County and Portsmouth were all interested.
Having rejected a new contract at Oxford, the Black Cats may have had a smooth journey to snapping him up.
Portsmouth snap up free agent Josh Murphy
However, Pompey have since confirmed that he has arrived at Fratton Park on a free transfer.
Following his move, manager John Mousinho said: “Josh brings a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience for starters.
“He was one of the outstanding players in League One during the second half of last season, which culminated in that Wembley brace to take Oxford up.
“He’s an exciting winger, who possesses goals and assists in his arsenal. There’s also out-and-out pace on either flank.
“Josh can get the fans excited with the way he plays, so we’re absolutely delighted to get the deal done.”
The attacker makes a controversial switch to another newly-promoted club after playing alongside Mousinho at Oxford, though it could prove risky if both are battling relegation next year.
Should Sunderland have tried harder to sign him?
Murphy was one of the best players in League One for much of the previous campaign, but that is the only outstanding bit of form he has enjoyed in a fairly long time.
The 29-year-old made 32 successful dribbles last term – around a quarter of Clarke’s dribbles, and only one more than Abdoullah Ba.
He also made 32 key passes, less than the likes of Alex Pritchard, Adil Aouchiche and Ba, but did rack up 68 shots.
Murphy will turn 30 years old next season and certainly isn’t at the level required of a player replacing one of the best wingers in the Championship.
He would have been a great squad player at the Stadium of Light, but he isn’t leaving Oxford to sit on the bench and there is a reason why he has ended up at another newly-promoted side.