What actually happened was that we'd agreed a deal with Blackburn for Finnan for around £3m or so, the funds of which were going into a largely threadbare transfer pot. The deal fell through which was a financial kick in the balls for Rafa so when Charlton came in almost immediately after with a straight cash bid for Murphy, the club & Rafa were happy to accept. He didn't want him to leave really but we were so desperate for additional funds that we didn't really have an option. Murph was gutted to leave the club, he'd have stayed here for the rest of his career quite happily. A good lad who loved (well, still loves) the club. Gave the ball away a bit but was more than capable of doing a job. Not the quickest but a great eye for a pass.