---
title: "Celtic: Hoops set to miss out on Alex Murphy"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-set-to-miss-out-on-alex-murphy/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-04-14T12:40:23Z"
modified: "2022-04-14T12:44:03Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops set to miss out on Alex Murphy

**Newcastle United are set to beat Celtic to the capture of Galway United youngster Alex Murphy.**

### The lowdown: Celtic eyeing up young talent

Celtic signed Johnny Kenny from Sligo Rovers in January for a [nominal fee](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/johnny-kenny/profil/spieler/875208), clearly looking to build up from the bottom, strengthening the squad of the future.

The Hoops were then [linked](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40817790.html) with 17-year-old defender Murphy in February amidst interest from West Brom and Serie A outfit Torino.

[Key latest Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-2/)

At that time, the seriousness of the interest from the Premier League club was apparent as an initial report from the [Irish Examiner](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40817790.html) claimed a €100,000 (£83,000) offer had already been made.

Nowm it appears as though Celtic were ultimately unable to land their target, as another English side have swooped in…

### The latest: Money talks

According to a report from [RTE](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0413/1292178-galway-united-defender-murphy-set-for-newcastle-move/), newly mega-rich Newcastle have won the race to sign the talented teenager.

It’s claimed that Murphy will move to St James’ Park in the summer after turning 18 on June 25.

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-5/)

Celtic are once again mentioned as being amongst the interest parties to miss out on the [twice-capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alex-murphy/nationalmannschaft/spieler/900601/verein_id/23102) Republic of Ireland Under 16 starlet as well as Brighton & Hove Albion.

### The verdict: Big blow

After signing a [first professional contract](https://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/54029-alex-murphy-will-remain-at-galway-united-for-2022) with Galway in August 2021, manager John Caulfield described the youngster’s career trajectory as [‘very good’](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40817790.html) amidst growing speculation around his future.

Despite his tender years, the teenager has made [seven senior appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alex-murphy/leistungsdaten/spieler/900601) in the Irish first division already – completing 90 minutes on five occasions.

Whilst it remains to be seen whether Murphy can make the grade in the English top-flight, the Celtic hierarchy will no doubt be disappointed to miss out on a highly-rated youngster, although this type of attempted capture does show where the Hoops’ upcoming transfer targets may lie.

***In other news, pundit pinpoints key attribute that has been crucial for Celtic. Find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/alex-mcleish-celtic-attacking-advantage-title-race/).***