Middlesbrough have upped their offer for Ipswich Town striker Daryl Murphy to £4.5 million, it has been reported.

Boro see the Town frontman, coming off a career-best 27 goal season, as a key piece to their promotion push next season and have duly increased their bid, according to the Irish Sun.

Murphy, 32, has two years left on his Blues contract but has been linked to a number of clubs this off-season, both in the Championship and Premier League.

Boss Mick McCarthy, who sold left back Tyrone Mings to Premier League newcomers Bournemouth for £8m last week, stressed again yesterday that he does not want to sell Murphy.

- What do you think? Should Town sell Murphy and use the cash to bring in more talent, or would it show a lack of ambition to sell both Mings and Murphy? Comment below!