How Portsmouth FC feel about selling Josh Murphy by 7pm as Leicester City circle | OneFootball

Portsmouth remain adamant that Josh Murphy isn't for sale as Leicester City continue their interest.

Portsmouth are maintaining their firm 'not for sale' stance on star winger Josh Murphy, as Leicester City remain keen on signing the 30-year-old in the dying embers of the transfer window.

Pompey have had to deal with recent speculation regarding the future of one of their stars of last season, as Championship rivals Leicester placed a bid for Murphy on Saturday, which was well short of the club's valuation of the player.

Manager John Mousinho even reiterated in his post-match press conference after Saturday's victory over Preston North End that the recruitment team at Fratton Park were adamant that the wide man isn't for sale.

In a fresh update from The News on Monday, it's been revealed that this stance hasn't changed, and Portsmouth are still holding firm, as they don't want to let another attacker go following an injury to Callum Lang a couple of weeks ago.

Leicester reportedly remain keen on bringing the 30-year-old to The King Power Stadium, but Pompey are looking unlikely to budge on their stance this late in the window.

Portsmouth maintain not-for-sale stance on Josh Murphy as Leicester City lurk

Following his arrival from Oxford United on a free transfer last summer, Murphy has been a standout for Pompey, with 21 goal contributions in 42 Championship outings last term.

The ex-Norwich City and Cardiff forward, who arrived at Fratton Park with extensive Championship experience, scored on seven occasions in his debut season on the south coast, while no player in the second-tier eclipsed his haul of 14 assists.

This has seen late interest emerge in the winger after he returned from injury, with Leicester and West Brom both keen to add the 30-year-old to their ranks ahead of Monday's 7pm deadline.

However, Portsmouth have maintained a firm stance that Murphy is not for sale at any price this summer, and a fresh update from The News has confirmed that this stance won't change on deadline day.

After Leicester's bid on Saturday was swiftly rejected by the south coast club, it remains unclear whether they will test Pompey's resolve once again, or move on to other targets, as the message from Fratton Park is clear and simple, he isn't for sale.

Darren Witcoop, meanwhile, has reported that Murphy is "keen to explore" a potential move away from Portsmouth. However, it's said that the Pompey star is letting it play out between the two clubs, which may reassure supporters as they desperately long for their star man to stay put beyond the deadline.

Leicester to weigh up continuing Josh Murphy, Portsmouth transfer pursuit

The Foxes are battling their own financial issues currently, which has meant they aren't exactly the powerhouse that everyone would've expected them to be in the Championship this season.

Now another clear message that Portsmouth won't budge on their stance regarding star man Murphy, Leicester are reportedly weighing up continuing their pursuit of the 30-year-old, or moving on to other targets.

The former Premier League champions won't want to be forced to pay over the odds for the forward by their Championship rivals, and any bids below his valuation will seemingly be a complete waste of time for Leicester.