Newcastle 'agree summer transfer for Alex Murphy' with 17-year-old set to join from Irish league

NEWCASTLE UNITED have reportedly sealed a deal to sign highly-rated Irish youngster Alex Murphy.

The 17-year-old left-back has been chased by a host of European sides after impressing for Galway United 

That led to the likes of Celtic and Torino plotting a move for the Republic of Ireland youngster.

Both teams allegedly spoke to his representatives.

And Brighton were also interested in the defender.

But RTE Sport has claimed that Newcastle have won the race for his signature.

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And they state that Murphy will link up with the Premier League club once he turns 18 in June.

He is due to join the development squad at St. James’ Park. 

Murphy moved to his current club from Corrib Celtic and went on to make his first-team debut aged 16.

He only penned his first pro contract in January after he had been named as a standby for Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s squad in October.

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Amanda Staveley highlighted that the Saudi Arabia-backed takeover of Newcastle intended to improve the club’s academy.

But they are also working on improving the first-team squad even further.

And Brentford’s Christian Eriksen has emerged as one of their top summer targets on a free transfer.

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