Nigel Adkins insists he wants to keep Jamie Murphy at Sheffield United – despite reported interest from Albion.

The 25-year-old winger or striker is attracting Championship interest.

An as yet unconfirmed report suggested the Seagulls have made a £1 million bid for the Glaswegian’s services.

But Adkins would ideally see Murphy as part of his bid for promotion at Bramall Lane.

Clubs, agents and players are carefully manoeuvring themselves into position before the serious transfer business of the summer gets under way.

And Adkins has made his views clear on Murphy.

The recently appointed Blades boss said: “There has been speculation about one of our players.

“First and foremost we will have a look at the squad we have got. I know conversations have gone on. From our point of view, Jamie did ever so well last season.

“You look at the stats and the amount of goals he created. He’s not a player we are looking to move on at this moment in time.”

Albion’s close season business is likely to include a loan deal for their up-and-coming goalkeeper Christian Walton.

They want to find him a lower division club where he will play regular football.

Crawley are among those who could fit the bill if League Two is deemed suitable after the departure of Brian Jensen and loanee Lewis Price at the end of last season left them without a goalkeeper.