Cork are keen on keeping hold of the 26-year-old, but there is confusion over whether he has been offered a new contract by the club.

Cork have released a statement, saying that they had offered Murray a three-year contract.

But speaking after their defeat to Bohemians on Friday night, the big centre-half said: "I said I wanted to stay at City six months ago and that I was ready to sign a new deal.

"But things happened at the club and I never got to sign. Now the Leeds offer has come in and, like any other person who is unemployed, I've got to go and look for work."

Cambridge-born Murray signed for City from Peterborough United, originally on loan, in 2002-03, following former club mate John O'Flynn from London Road.

The move was made permanent in 2003 and the commanding central defender's leadership qualities saw him inherit the captaincy at 21.

Murray scored twice in City's famous 3-1 win over Malmo in the 2004 Intertoto campaign and is a hugely popular figure at Cork.