Scottish giants Celtic have reportedly been beaten to the signing of young Irish defender Alex Murphy. This is according to the report from the stables of RTE Sport which stated that Newcastle United have beaten Celtic and a host of other clubs to the signing of the Galway United star. It was reported that Celtic have missed out on the player to Premier League outfit Newcastle United. In addition to Newcastle United and Celtic, Murphy has also be linked with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion and Italian Serie A outfit Torino.

Murphy, 17, is expected to leave Galway United in the second tier of Irish football to sign for Newcastle United who are the new moneybags in the Premier League. He has made seven appearances for Galway United this season. Young Murphy is expected to join Newcastle United when he turns 18 in June.

Immediate past Scottish champions Celtic have signed players from the League of Ireland this season, but they won’t be able to repeat the feat with Murphy who's on his way to English football. Earlier this season, Celtic signed Johnny Kenny and Liam Scales.
Murphy is a native of Annaghdown and the teenager was at Corrib Celtic before moving to the Galway Academy. The news of the proposed transfer to Newcastle United is a positive one for Galway United manager John Caulfield who has high hopes for the aforementioned Murphy. He would be hoping that the young defender can play his part as Galway United push for promotion to the top flight as far as the League of Ireland is concerned.
Galway United officials have been impressed with how negotiations have gone with Newcastle United and the general consensus at the club is that the Murphy transfer is evidence that their academy is progressing well.