Brighton and Manchester City target makes Bristol City transfer decision, informs club

Ireland prospect Adam Murphy has informed St Patrick's Athletic that he wants to join Bristol City, according to reports in Ireland.

A report from Ireland based The Independent.i.e claim that Murphy is 'expected to complete his move to Bristol City in the coming days' after making the League of Ireland club aware of his decision on Monday.

The Robins had been in transfer talks with the Pats at the start of the month, and are willing to pay a fee now to secure him sooner, with a medical planned for this week.

The 18-year-old would have become a free agent in January, and there would have been a small compensation fee to pay, but the desire to sign him immediately highights that he could make an appearance for the first-team quicker than expected.

It is understood he was open to remaining with St Patrick's Athletic, who are just four points off of Shamrock Rovers with nine games remaining, but will now hope to break into the first-team at Ashton Gate.

Murphy is expected to be on a long-term contract at Bristol City, and there is a viable route to the first-team following Alex Scott's departure to AFC Bournemouth. He comes to the West Country with much hype surrounding him having been offered a trial by Manchester City before suffering an injury, as well as being scouted by Brighton.

Bristol City are on the search for reinforcements, but do not want to break the bank despite receiving a club record fee from the Cherries for the 20-year-old earlier this summer. It is a boost to Nigel Pearson's side who were knocked back by Bolton Wanderers midfielder George Thomason earlier in the window.

Murphy should feel at home in Bristol given there's a strong contingent of Ireland players at the club with Jason Knight and Mark Sykes both full internationals meanwhile Max O'Leary has been on the fringes of the squad in recent years.