Source: Northern_Echo
Southgate could move in for Murphy
MIDDLESBROUGH will have to act quickly if they want to land Daryl Murphy after Ipswich refused to accept defeat in their pursuit of the Sunderland striker.
With Afonso Alves £7m transfer to the Qatari Stars League expected to be finalised this week with the required paperwork completed, Boro manager Gareth Southgate hopes to find a quick replacement.
Derbys Rob Hulse remains the preferred choice, despite showing a reluctance to move to Teesside last week and Southgate has been reassessing his options, with Murphy on a list of alternatives.
Ipswich manager Roy Keane, who has been rebuffed on a couple of occasions by the Republic of Ireland international, still hopes to strike a deal this week.
Football League clubs are allowed to make loan signings from Wednesday and Sunderland are still looking to move on Murphy and team-mate David Healy, who turned down Coventry last week.
The short switch to Middlesbrough would appeal to Murphy, but Southgate will have to make his mind up quickly because Keane wants him on board before the weekend.
Ironically, if the 26-year-old does join either of the two clubs leading the way for his signature, his debut could arrive when Ipswich travel to the Riverside on Saturday.
Firstly, though, Southgate wants to know for certain that Hulse is not willing to uproot to the North-East, having knocked back his advances last week.
Despite having a bid, thought to be around £3.5m, accepted at Derby, the 29-yearold opted against a permanent move to Middlesbrough. A loan agreement with a view to a full-time transfer in January, could suit both parties.
Southgate, who is also interested in Marlon King and Danny Webber, could do with a replacement for Alves before the visit of Ipswich, with the sale of Boros record buy due to be confirmed in the next few days.
Alves, who joined from Heerenveen for £12.7m 19 months ago, has agreed a three-year deal at Al-Sadd after lengthy negotiations and an acceptance that his desired move to Ajax would not materialise.
Now the Brazilian wants to prove he can still score goals, having managed just ten goals in his 42 appearances in the Premier League.
Alves, officially unveiled at a press conference on Thursday, said: Its a great honour for me to join a good team like Al-Sadd who are one of the best clubs in Asia.
Im looking to be the top scorer of the Qatari league next season.
