Transfer fee demand could block ICT's move for Murray
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A TRANSFER fee could block any move Caley Thistle make for striker Darren Murray.
Funds have been released by the board to allow Hughes to strengthen his injury-plagued squad, however the man handed the money does not believe the club will be in the business of paying fees.
That could rule out a move for Portadown striker Murray, who has been on trial at the club this week but has another year under contract at Ports and the club would likely demand a fee. Hughes has been impressed with the 23-year-old but fitness concerns, with the striker coming from part-time football, would mean he would take some time to get up to speed.
Caley Thistle will speak to the Danske Bank Premiership side as to what they would require to allow Murray to leave and a fee of at least £25,000 had been quoted over the summer when the player handed in a transfer request, amid interest from Derry City and Cliftonville.
With both he and fellow trialist Toby Ajala expected to leave the club, Hughes has two more trialists lined up to come in next week and is directing his budget at free agents.
"It is going to have to be someone who is out of contract. I don’t think we’ve money to go and pay a fee. We’re going to have to make that enquiry and find out if there is a fee involved for Murray," he said. "We’re not going to screw up the wage structure. You can’t go chasing a dream.
"We had to get trialists in and maybe pay for one or two flights and their accommodation. All that has been put in place because I think the board recognised we’re a wee bit up against it."
Murray has a record of 53 goals in 96 games for Portadown and is likely to return for their game against Ballinamallard United tomorrow.
The search for competition for Dani Lopez, currently the only senior striker on the club’s books, will go on but a goal against champions Celtic last week has lifted the player’s confidence.
Lopez has been playing catch-up with his match-sharpness and was pitched in at the start of the season short of games. However, opening his Caley Thistle account, plus the arrival of his family to the Highlands, has him ready to kick on.
"My fitness is very good. Maybe it’s not 100 per cent but it is close. The four or five weeks of training and games has helped. It was good to score against Celtic, but what you see is the four goals," he said. "There is no pressure on me, all that matters is the result.
"My wife and my baby are with me now, so it is easier to focus on football. Sometimes with my baby it was move, move, move every day and it’s crazy. He’s very tired and probably won’t remember all these moves.
"The staff in the office have always helped me with any problems. I now have a house which is close to the town centre and that is my better for my wife as when I am training, she can walk to the town centre and go shopping. I like the city — it’s beautiful.
"People are always saying hello to me, which is different from England and I’ve never seen people so happy. You see them at the monuments in the city, at Fort George and at the beach. The people here are very friendly and both me and my wife love Scotland."
The club will continue its search for a first win of the season at home to Hamilton Accies tomorrow, a side like the Caley Jags who had been written off by many at the start of the season.
Hughes is unlikely to have any fresh faces back from the treatment room in time for the game, although Jordan Roberts and Josh Meekings have returned to training.
"We need that first win," added Lopez. "We’ve not been lucky — St Johnstone scored in the 90th minute. We need more confidence and I hope once we get that first win, we’ll get more and more."
