Transfer gossip: Portsmouth 'approach' made for Newcastle United defender as Championship clubs circle

According to the i’s Northern Football Correspondent Mark Douglas, the Blues are among a number of Championship clubs who are interested in the centre-back.

But rather than simply keeping tabs on the Republic of Ireland under-21 international, it’s been reported Pompey have made contact with the Toon this summer over a possble move for the 20-year-old.

The Fratton Park outfit are keen to add the their central defensive options, with Connor Shaughnessy and Ryley Towler their only two specialists in the position as both Regan Poole and Tom McIntyre remain sidelined through injury.

Pompey were last week linked with a move for former Leeds United captain, but that was quickly shot down by head coach John Mosuinho.

Loan moves for Premier League youngsters is also something the Blues are currently exploring as the transfer window deadline looms. Middlesbrough winger Sammy Silvera remains their only loan signing to date, with the Blues having the capacity to add four more to their ranks.

Murphy, who hails from the same county in Ireland as Shaughnessy - Galway - made the move to Newcastle in July 2022. His first season at St James’ Park saw him feature 16 times in Premier League 2.

Last term saw the ball-playing centre-back make his first-team debut as an 87th-substitute in Newcastle’s 4-1 Premier League win against Chelsea last November.

He made his second top-flight appearance in April as an 82nd-minute substitute in the Toon’s 5-1 thrashing of Sheffield United.

Murphy also featured in Newcastle’s two end of season friendlies against Spurs and the A-League All-Stars in Australia at the end of May - a tour which also saw Matt Ritchie make the trip Down Under before sealing his free-transfer move to Fratton Park.

Elias Sorensen is another ex-Toon player currently in the Pompey ranks.