Leeds United are firmly in the running to sign Brighton left winger Jamie Murphy, according to the latest bookmakers’ odds.
Bet Victor priced the Yorkshire giants at 12/1 on Tuesday night to land the Premier League 28-year-old before 3 February of next year.
Leeds’ fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United (4/1) lead the race ahead of Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers, Sunderland (all 6/1) and Fulham.
Former Scotland Under-21 international Murphy has been on the fringes of the Brighton team this season and failed to make their matchday squad for Saturday’s 5-1 Premier League mauling at the hands of Liverpool.
Good move for Leeds?
The Glaswegian has a fine record at Brighton and previous clubs Sheffield United and Motherwell, and could be a fine signing for Leeds. He has excellent Championship experience and was a key player in the Seagulls’ promotion-winning 2016-17 season. Leeds have a number of left flank operators, including Pablo Hernandez, Kemar Roofe and Stuart Dallas, but the former pair are happier in the middle and the northern Irishman has never really convinced during his two-and-a-bit years. With his goalscoring and goal creating ability – he has 81 senior career goals to date – Murphy would represent an upgrade.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Don’t rule it out. Murphy has slipped down the pecking order in Chris Hughton’s team and has not been named in the matchday squad since September. It is highly likely he will go out on loan in January.
This Is Futbol rating 4/10