"Better out there" - Sunderland warned against signing ex-Norwich City ace | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Oxford United winger Josh Murphy has been in impressive form in League One this season, and has reportedly attracted the interest of a number of Championship clubs recently.

It's been reported that Championship clubs Sunderland, Southampton, Hull City, West Brom and QPR have been watching the 29-year-old recently, along with MLS side Minnestota United, and sent scouts to watch him in the U's recent 5-0 win over Peterborough.

They would have been impressed by what they saw as the winger scored and registered an assist in the win over The Posh, and with his deal at the Kassam Stadium expiring at the end of the season, Murphy could be an attractive signing on a free transfer.

The brother of Newcastle star Jacob Murphy, the winger has plenty of Championship experience after spells with Norwich, Cardiff City and Preston, and even played Premier League football with the Bluebirds.

Sunderland fan pundit reacts to Josh Murphy being linked with the club

Football League World's Sunderland fan pundit, Jack Austwicke, believes that Josh Murphy isn't a signing that the Black Cats should be making if they have ambitions of winning promotion to the Premier League next season.

He told FLW: "Josh Murphy’s a bit of a weird one, he’s had a very up and down career, had to go down to League One, but he’s now found a bit of form playing for a decent Oxford side who could make the play-offs, but that remains to be seen.

"I feel that (League One) is more his level though. I can’t see us taking a punt on him. That’s the sort of signing someone like Sheffield Wednesday or QPR would make, no disrespect to those teams, but is that a signing that a team who wants to win promotion makes? It’s not in my eyes.

“He’s a good player, and he’s played in the Championship before, and now he’s 29, which isn’t really old, but maybe for Sunderland it is, but on the whole it’s not old, and he’s had to go down to League One, but he’s had a decent season where’s he found a good bit of form.

“I think it would be a bit of a disappointing one if we took a punt on him because I think there’s better out there.”

Championship interest in Josh Murphy is warranted

Despite being 29, Josh Murphy's form in recent months of the season has shown he can still a job at Championship level next season.

Since returning from injury in February, Murphy has registered six goals and four assists in just 14 League One games. This is clearly a good return, and on a free transfer, it's easy to see why he's interesting clubs.

Considering he's scored just eight goals and registered nine assists during his 57 appearances at the club, his recent form has been somewhat of an anomaly, but he's done enough to interest clubs.

If he keeps performing like this, he'll continue to draw attention, and he'll be hoping that this isn't just a flash in the pan.

As for Sunderland, signing a 29-year-old from the division below with no resale value doesn't suit their transfer strategy in the slightest and, on the face of it, it seems a strange move.

However, if the club's recruitment team believe he can add something, then he's worth a punt as a free agent this summer.