"Without sounding too cynical" - Exclusive: David Prutton reveals condition that could see Portsmouth FC sell Josh Murphy | OneFootball

Murphy has been a standout for Pompey on the right-wing since he joined on a free transfer last summer

Former Premier League midfielder and current Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has urged Portsmouth to keep star winger Josh Murphy at the club this summer, following his impressive exploits on their return to the Championship, but believes that the club may entertain a sale if they are offered a hefty transfer fee.

Pompey were able to seal their second-tier survival in style last month with back-to-back wins over Norwich City and Watford to head into the final day of the season with their Championship status confirmed for another year.

Murphy has been a huge part of their success in his maiden campaign at Fratton Park following his arrival at the club as a free agent in June just weeks after rejecting a new deal with fellow second-tier new boys Oxford United.

His standout form saw him named as the club's Player of the Year recently, and his strong showings are bound to have attracted the attention of higher-placed Championship clubs ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

David Prutton offers Josh Murphy transfer verdict after impressive season at Pompey

It came as a surprise to many that Murphy decided to turn down a new deal with Oxford at the end of last season, especially after he had single-handedly fired them to the Championship with a quickfire brace against Bolton Wanderers to win the play-off final.

His signing was regarded as a coup for John Mousinho and Portsmouth on their return to the second-tier, and despite a slow start to life on the south-coast, he ended the campaign with seven goals and 14 assists in 42 league appearances while playing a huge part in their eventual 16th-placed finish.

Sky Sports presenter and pundit David Prutton has praised Murphy's impact on Mousinho's side this season, but while he thinks he should stay at Fratton Park for next season, he admits that a move away should not be ruled out if they are presented with a transfer offer that they cannot refuse.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton said: "Josh Murphy…a key part of what Pompey have done so well. Massive, massive shoutout to John Mousinho and Pompey for entering into that final weekend nice and comfortable.

"There are some big clubs that have made hard work of the Championship, and what John has done with Pompey after all of their seasons away from the level has been nothing short of miraculous, and Josh has been a big part of that.

"He could be targeted (by interested clubs this summer), but I think you have got a player there who looks very much at home.

"Without sounding too cynical, if the (transfer fee) is right for him and the club, then it is a different entity altogether, but I think he has been a massive part of the way they have wanted to play football.

"He’ll be a target, but it is up to them to keep him. It’s a great place to play football down there at Pompey, Fratton Park being the noisy fortress that it is."

Murphy is happy at Portsmouth - he will surely stay at the club for next season

Murphy had certainly proven that he could thrive in the second-tier before joining Portsmouth, with fruitful spells in the division at both Norwich City, MK Dons and Cardiff City in years gone by, but he has moved up to another level this season, with Mousinho's tactical set-up putting him at the forefront of nearly every attack that his side produced.

His 21 league goal contributions works out as the best return of his professional career so far, so, much like his twin brother Jacob at Newcastle United, he is in the form of his life right now despite recently turning 30-years-old.

While no concrete rumours have yet emerged of other clubs plotting a bid for his services, he is surely set to be on the radar of numerous sides closer to the top-end of the Championship this summer. Murphy, though, has recently addressed his Fratton Park future, and insisted that he is pleased to be playing his part in their upturn in fortunes as a club.

"I am happy here, I am settled here, there’s a lot going on and the club is building to push for the Premier League - and that aligns with what I want to do," he told The News earlier this week.

"I am happy here and I want to keep playing at Fratton Park because this place is pretty special. It has been great all season, who wouldn’t want to be playing here?

"Being settled here brings the best out of me. I am settled here, the family love it down here, I have a manager who believes in me and backs me and the club is going in the right direction.

"With my performances, this is the base I want to work off going into next season and I believe I can still get better, I believe I can get more goals and assists, so hopefully this is just the bench mark for the future."

Murphy is contracted to Pompey until 2027, so while he is bound to be a target for other Championship clubs, it would be a surprise to see him leave for a sizeable transfer fee given his age and likely peak that he has reached over the last year.

Instead, it seems very possible that he stays at Fratton Park for a good few seasons to come as they aim to become an established second-tier side once again, and look to return to the Premier League after so many years away.