OPINION
Amidst what has already been a harrowing summer for the Newcastle United supporters, the last thing they’d want is for one of their most promising players to leave the club.
That has very much been a fear for them over the past few weeks, though, with Premier League heavyweights Manchester United thought to be circling around the 21-year-old.
However, the comments of Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer recently will be very welcome news for the Toon Army: “But we’re patient, we’re Man United, we don’t have to sell and don’t have to over-pay either. You have to have the right players at the right price,” he said, as per The Chronicle.
As per the Chronicle’s report, United are thought to be ready to offer £20million. However, Newcastle value the player at far beyond that figure, possibly even £50million.
That, then, is the essence of this reported pursuit, and is why the Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing at Solskjaer’s remarks. The Norwegian is convinced that his club are big enough that they don’t need to pay over the odds for anyone, that they will only purchase players for the right price.
The thing is, there is currently a £30million discrepancy between what Solskjaer’s team want to pay for Longstaff and the price at which the Magpies are willing to do business.
That’s tremendous news for the Newcastle supporters and make no mistake. Solskjaer is stubborn, and Newcastle won’t want to budge for a prized asset in Longstaff who is tied down on a long-term deal. That points in the direction of the Englishman remaining at St James’ Park next season.
If that does end up being the case, it will be a shaft of light amid the darkness of Newcastle’s off season.
