Charlton land Murphy

Negotiations are also close to completion with Arsenal striker Jeffers, who is set to sign in the next 24 hours in a deal which could be worth £2.5m.

Curbishley has had more than £10m available this summer but has missed out a number of his top targets.

Chelsea beat him to the signature of Mateja Kezman from PSV Eindhoven and Southampton refused a £6m offer for James Beattie.

But Curbishley has already signed Denmark international Dennis Rommedahl and adding Murphy and Jeffers highlights Charlton's ambition.

Jeffers would be another signing to encourage fans at The Valley. Although the striker has suffered with injuries and failed to make his mark at Arsenal he is only 23 years old and convinced Arsene Wenger to pay £8m for him just three years ago because of his qualities as a "fox in the box".

That is precisely what Charlton need with Paolo di Canio set to leave the club for Lazio and Curbishley determined to improve on last season's seventh place finish.

It is also unlikely that Jeffers would be Charlton's last new signing before the end of the transfer window. Curbishley wants to further bolster his strikeforce and former France and Bolton midfielder Ibrahim Ba has also been on trial at the club and played for the reserves.