Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff is at the heart of a Premier League transfer hunt after establishing himself as one of the club’s most exciting young talents, according to journalist Lee Ryder.
The Chronicle reporter, who has an established reputation for breaking stories on the Magpies, has claimed that the homegrown talent’s impressive performances for the first team at St James’ Park has seen a number of the club’s top flight rivals take serious interest in a potential move.
Writing in a live question and answer on the newspaper’s website (14:21) he said: “If I’m being honest, top Premier League clubs are rightly taking an interest in Sean Longstaff after his flying start.
“He ticks a lot of boxes, young, up and coming and has a great sell on value. Obviously, the last thing Newcastle should be doing is selling him but a new improved contract could be important for him.”
Opinion
As Ryder says, the last thing Newcastle can afford to be doing is selling on Longstaff this summer, regardless of the price their rivals might be willing to pay. When was the last time the Toon Army got to bask in having a born and bred Geordie lining up as a regular in the starting XI? Paul Dummett is the only man of note who comes into contention and even then, the left back is hardly the most exciting prospect, no matter how solid he might be as a defender. Longstaff on the other hand is a quality performer and someone who seems destined for a bright career. It would break the fans’ hearts if he was to go and even the thought of an eight figure fee – which is surely what Newcastle would demand to see him leave St James’ Park – would not be enough to soften the blow. Longstaff’s exit would only solidify Mike Ashley’s position as public enemy number one on Tyneside – although keeping him on board despite interest from elsewhere could help the owner’s reputation. If his value is high now, it is only going to skyrocket with more assured performances in the middle of the park. There is no way he can be allowed to leave any time soon – and why would he want to?
