Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff’s representatives have held encouraging talks with Manchester United, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The newspaper claims that the 21-year-old is a transfer target for the Red Devils and that initial discussions with Longstaff’s people have gone swimmingly.
The Magpies star man is thought to fit the mould of what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are looking for. However, he is not thought to be a game-changing signing who would walk into their starting line up.
Indeed, the Englishman is thought to only be considered a fall back option for United, behind the likes of Adrien Rabiot, Declan Rice and Youri Tielemans.
OPINION
There are a number of things to look at, here. Firstly, the fact that Longstaff’s representatives have held talks with United isn’t a good thing for Newcastle by any means. That suggests that a switch to Old Trafford is fairly far along – although there is nothing in the MEN’s report that states that a fee has been agreed with the Magpies. Does that mean that United are in contact with Longstaff’s people behind Newcastle’s back? Who knows what’s going on there. However, clearly initial discussions have been held between the Red Devils and Longstaff’s representatives. However, there’s also the fact that he is only seen as a fall back option for United. That, on the other hand, is excellent news for the north east giants. Longstaff won’t want to be viewed as a last resort, while he will feel that he is just as good a prospect as either Rice or Tielemans. Most of all, though, if United don’t feel he’s a game-changer then it’s unlikely they’ll make a real concerted push for him this summer.
