Bristol City are working on a deal to sign Republic of Ireland Under-21 international midfielder Adam Murphy, Bristol Live understands, four months after a move from St Patrick’s Athletic collapsed.
Murphy was all set to become a City player in August after visiting the High Performance Centre and the Robins had agreed a six-figure fee with the League of Ireland club, but the transfer broke down and he remained with St Pats until the end of the domestic season.
Murphy made 29 appearances, with 17 as a starter, as St Pats finished third in the League of Ireland and was a second-half substitute in their 3-1 FAI Cup final victory over Bohemians in November.
The 18-year-old is now available on a free transfer, albeit with compensation due to be paid should he move on, and although the Robins have competition from across the EFL, there is hope the groundwork laid in the summer can lead to a positive resolution next month.
City can also call upon Ireland internationals Jason Knight and Mark Sykes to offer a strong sales pitch of life in the West Country, with both individuals having made significant impacts in the Championship since joining the Robins.
Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton and Derby County are among the clubs to have reportedly watched Murphy in 2023, while St Pats have offered fresh terms in a bid to keep him at Richmond Park.
“I’m not sure about Adam and we’d like to keep him,” manager John Daly said in late October, when asked about Murphy and teenage right-back Sam Curtis, who is also coveted by the Robins but has admirers in the Premier League and Europe. “He’s out of contract and it’s his call.
“We’d be open to keeping both of them but Sam is set on going. We have a couple of important games before then. He’s played a lot of football and won’t look out of place wherever he ends up.”
City are keen to make additions next month with head coach Liam Manning focusing on the top end of the pitch. Murphy would represent a more long-term option, although part of the Robins’ pitch is around putting him in a position to play in the Championship.
The hope of making “one or two signings” as indicated by Manning and technical director Brian Tinnion since the start of November could therefore be seen as independent of any deal for Murphy, who was part of last summer's transfer strategy.
Bristol Live has learned that one of the positions targeted will be a central attacking midfielder, who can be an immediate first-team consideration, although Burnley’s Scott Twine is not among the options being discussed.
A report by The Sun’s Alan Nixon claimed Twine, who has spent the first half of the season on loan at Hull City, is available for £2.5million and the Tigers want to make him a permanent signing, with the Robins also keen on the 24-year-old who is originally from Wiltshire.
Manning worked with Twine at MK Dons where he scored 20 goals and added 13 assists in 47 games during the League One 2021/22 season before earning his move to Burnley, but the midfielder is not thought to be on the Robins shortlist.
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