Dale may sell star striker Murray!

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Brighton amp; Hove Albion are the latest club to show an interest in signing Rochdale striker Glenn Murray during the January transfer window. Dale boss Keith Hill said after Saturday’s home defeat to Lincoln that if any serious bids came in for any of Rochdale’s players during the window the club would be forced to accept them.

Hill said: “The Chairman is fully supportive but what we have got to realise, collectively, is that if any serious bids come in for our players we are going to have to accept them. That is a given because of our financial plight. If any significant bid does come in for any of our players then I am sure that it will be listened to which is frustrating from my point of view.”

Last week Rochdale turned down a bid for the striker rumoured to have come from fellow League Two side Shrewsbury Town. Dale Chairman Chris Dunphy said at the time: “I did receive an enquiry from the Chairman of the club concerned but we are in the process of building and developing something here and selling one of our assets to a rival in our division does not fall within that sphere.”

Brighton ply their trade a division above Dale in League One and could lure Murray away with a sum rumoured to be around £150,000. League Two sides MK Dons and Peterborough United are also thought to be interested.

There can be little doubt that selling the striker would seriously dent Rochdale’s play-off hopes. He has scored five goals in the last six games, helping Dale to the verge of the play-off zone with games in hand. Last season his 20 goals were a major factor in helping Rochdale away from the relegation zone and nearly into the play-offs by the end of the season.

Keith Hill said: “We will see from Glenn Murray’s performances how he has taken the news that we have turned down an offer for him but I am sure there are other clubs looking at him.”