OPINION
Football works in funny ways and the current situation at Newcastle United is no different.
There is an awful lot for the Toon Army to pay attention to at the moment, with takeover talk and Rafael Benitez’s future likely at the forefront of their minds right now, and it would be so easy to forget that there is a transfer window for the Magpies to focus on too.
Obviously the ownership of the club will play a big part in terms of what happens at St James’ Park in terms of incomings and outgoings but that does not mean that things are simply going to stop on Tyneside, especially in terms of who might be leaving.
It appears as though one of their most exciting talents in Sean Longstaff is a man in demand, Football Insider claiming that the young midfielder is on Manchester United’s radar and that an £18million bid for the homegrown ace is imminent.
Now, Longstaff is probably one player that would not want to leave Newcastle for the likes of the Old Trafford outfit, the promising talent a born and bred Geordie and someone who will want to make a mark in the famous black and white stripes.
The same cannot be said for Isaac Hayden.
The former Arsenal man has been very vocal about his desire to leave St James’ Park for personal reasons, acting impeccably last season as he emerged as one of the club’s top performers.
The Telegraph have reported he is still keen to depart this summer but the interest in Longstaff is likely to leave him facing another season on Tyneside if his teammate departs.
Rafael Benitez does not have an awful lot of midfield options at his disposal following the exit of Mo Diame on a free transfer and he cannot afford to be losing another two in both Longstaff and Hayden.
It will likely be one or the other and right now it appears as though the Newcastle-born ace is the man wanted elsewhere.
Hayden will be hoping that something comes around that lets him leave but there is no guarantee that will be the case – that imminent bid for Longstaff will have him tearing his hair out.
