West Brom make transfer attempt for former Cardiff and Norwich City star that nearly quit football at 27

West Brom are being linked with a summer transfer swoop for Oxford United winger Josh Murphy.

The Sun are reporting that the Baggies are one of six teams that are interested in signing Murphy, who is the twin brother of Jacob, who plays for Newcastle United. West Brom along with their Championship rivals Southampton, QPR, Sunderland and Hull City are all said to have had scouts watching over Murphy at the weekend. Minnesota United, managed by former Man United and Shrewsbury Town coach Eric Ramsay were also said to have had representation at the Kassam Stadium.

He scored once and set up two in the U's 5-0 win over Peterborough United as the win kept his current side in the League One play-offs. Murphy has got six goals and four assists in 25 league matches for Oxford this season and is available on a free transfer.

Murphy signed for Oxford in July 2022, joining on a two-year deal when Karl Robinson was in charge. He had been at Cardiff City for four-years after joining them from Norwich City for a fee believed to be around £11m.

The Wembley-born winger has spent most of his career in the Championship, but has also played in the Premier League. He has made 199 appearances in English football's second tier, registering 26 assists and 24 goals. In the Prem, he has five goal contributions in 38 matches.

Murphy admitted last week he was considering quitting football after finding himself at a crossroads when his loan to Preston North End didn't work out. He was released by Cardiff City, but after a heart-to-heart chat with his brother, he was inspired to play on.

“There was a time where I did think to myself, 'Do I want to carry on playing football?,” said Murphy to the Daily Mirror. There was a lot of self-doubt there. 'Am I good enough?' Things like that. You see it a lot from Premier League players coming out and speaking about these things now.

"But I had so many good conversations with Jacob. He had a couple of unsuccessful loans while he was still at Newcastle and then in just one season he had turned things around. Now he's loved there and has even been playing in the Champions League this season.

"Just speaking to him and getting clarity that things do change in football was a big thing. I'm so grateful for that. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what I would be doing right now."

In other news, Stoke City are considering signing Jay Rodriguez. A report from TEAMtalk says that the Potters are lining up a move for the one-cap England international this summer. Rodriguez is out of contract at Burnley and has struggled for starts this term. He has started just seven of his 20 league outings this season and has scored just twice.

Rodriguez joined Burnley from West Brom after spending two years as a player at The Hawthorns. The 34-year-old got 33 goals in 90 games after remaining with West Brom following their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.