Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told his club to wrap up the signing of Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff this week, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper claims that the Red Devils boss has urged the Manchester giants to get a move on in their protracted pursuit of the 21-year-old Magpies star.
Indeed, the Norwegian wants Longstaff in place to join up with the rest of the United squad ahead of leaving for their pre season tour of Australia and the Far East on July 8.
He has told executive director Ed Woodward to meet Newcastle’s asking price for the player, thought to be £20million plus add ons. The Englishman is now seen as a priority transfer target for United.
OPINION
July 8 isn’t that long away, so United are going to have to get a lot of negotiating done in a short period of time if they want Longstaff in place ready for the pre season tour. It’s very concerning that United have latched onto the Newcastle star as a priority transfer target, which raises alarm bells on Tyneside. However, it sounds absolutely absurd that the Magpies would accept just £20million plus add ons. We’ve just seen Aaron Wan-Bissaka make the move to Old Trafford for £50million, but Newcastle are supposed to be willing to lose Longstaff for around £20million? Come on now. Longstaff is a tremendous prospect and is worth far more than that measly amount. If Solskjaer has really set United a deadline then that plays into Newcastle’s favour and they can drum up the transfer fee because they know that United want to get the deal done within a certain timeframe. Still, though, the priority for Newcastle should surely be keeping the midfielder where he is.
