Millwall linked with Portsmouth free agent as Sunderland and West Brom get transfer hint

Oxford United confirmed their place in the Championship last season after defeating Bolton Wanderers in the League One play-off final on Sunday.

The U's must now work to prepare their squad for the new level this summer with one key man linked with a move away.

Oxford feature alongside Millwall, Sunderland and West Brom in your Monday morning transfer round-up.

Millwall linked with Portsmouth youngster

Millwall are reported to be looking at recruiting a young full-back for free this summer after his release from newly promoted Championship side Portsmouth.

The Lions are linked with a move for Brian Quarm, who was one of the 11 second-year scholars who exited Fratton Park at the end of the campaign. The former Fulham youngster made one appearance for the Pompey first team, a cameo from the bench in October 2022 during a Papa Johns Trophy meeting against Aston Villa's under-21 side.

The News reports that Quarm recently attended a two-week trial with Millwall with a mind to join the club's under-21 setup.

Sunderland and West Brom given transfer hint

Sunderland and West Brom are just two Championship clubs linked with a summer move for Oxford United winger Josh Murphy and suitors were put on alert last weekend as U's boss Des Buckingham spoke out about the player's future.

Murphy bagged a brace as Oxford beat Bolton 2-0 at Wembley in the League One play-off final, making it 10 goals in all competitions this term. The player's contract is set to expire this summer.

When asked about Murphy’s future, Buckingham said: “I may have had a chat with him when we were up on the gantry lifting the trophy. We’ll do as much as we can to try and keep Josh here. He’s a wonderful person, a very good player, and he suits the way we want to do things. We’ll do as much as we can and see where that takes us.”

Murphy, who previously cost Cardiff City a reported £11 million back in 2018, has admitted his desire to play 'as high as I can' ahead of the summer window.

West Brom defender set for renewed League One interest

Bolton Wanderers are expected to make a move to bring West Brom full-back Zac Ashworth to the club on a permanent deal after his loan spell this season.

That's according to Alan Nixon on Patreon, who claims that the League One side wants the player back among their ranks despite not a huge amount of playing time this season. The 21-year-old played 23 times for Bolton over the season but was not in the matchday squad for any of the play-off matches.

Ashworth, who has only made six appearances for the Baggies' first-team, is contracted with the Championship side until 2025.