Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini this summer, with talks happening over the weekend to push the deal through.
There is a new top target on Tyneside, and he plays in the Serie A. Giorgio Scalvini has impressed the masses since making his professional debut aged just 17. His performances over the years have caught the eye of many, including Newcastle United.
The defender had an injury-disrupted 2024/25 campaign, having suffered a severe shoulder injury shortly after returning to first-team action after an ACL tear which kept him out of the 2024 European Championships.
Newcastle want to sign a new defender this summer, and after admitting defeat in their chase of Marc Guehi, have made Scalvini their top target in the transfer window. Eddie Howe is eager to add more youth to Newcastle’s back line after realising that his current options are approaching the twilight of their careers. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both 33, so they will likely not have much longer left in their playing days.
While Newcastle look to secure a deal for Scalvini this weekend, Howe has a centre-back who has been eagerly awaiting his opportunity to impress in the first team, who could end up being his partner in years to come.
Alex Murphy carries the ball during a League One game between Bolton Wanderers and Leyton Orient.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alex Murphy could be Giorgio Scalvini’s long-term partner at Newcastle United
After signing for the Magpies from Galway United in 2022, Alex Murphy has impressed in Newcastle’s Under-21 side. The defender made his professional debut with the club in November 2023, coming on late in a 4-1 win against Chelsea alongside the likes of Amadou Diallo and Michael Ndiweni.
However, after a conversation with Howe, Murphy was loaned out to Bolton in January this year. It was revealed that Murphy had asked Howe for a loan move to gain more first-team experience. The 47-year-old told Murphy to impress him at the Trotters and earn himself a place in his starting XI.
Murphy’s loan at Bolton was full of highs and lows. Manager Ian Evatt was sacked just a couple of days after his arrival, but he found himself a regular starter under Steven Schumacher. The Bolton boss was very complimentary of Murphy during his time at the club. In a March interview, Schumacher called Murphy ‘brilliant‘ and praised him for his versatility.
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After the League One season ended, Murphy immediately returned to Newcastle and linked up with Howe for first-team training.
With Scalvini a top target, and Newcastle eager to bring in some youthful defenders, Murphy is a great candidate to come through the academy and slot into that left centre-back position.
Alex Murphy is likely to get a chance to impress in pre-season
Pre-season is on the horizon, and Newcastle have a busy schedule ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. After a trip to Celtic, Newcastle are travelling to Singapore to play a game against Arsenal in the National Stadium.
After that, the Magpies are jetting to South Korea for games against a K-League XI and Tottenham Hotspur. Finally, it is back to St James’ Park for a friendly against Espanyol and a Sela Cup clash against Atletico Madrid.
Howe is likely to experiment with his squads during those games, giving the stacked roster of young players the chance to impress him and show what they can do in pre-season.
Like many other young players, Murphy will likely be given his opportunity against tough opposition. It is the first time in recent memory that Newcastle are playing two Premier League sides in a pre-season friendly, so it is a new experience for many.
Newcastle fans are expecting some new signings on that pre-season tour, but they should also anticipate a slew of young players, including Murphy, to get their shot.