Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff appears to be staying put on Tyneside at least until January after his loan exit to Portsmouth hit the skids, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.
The newspaper has claimed online that Pompey manager Kenny Jackett is on the verge of giving up on signing the 20-year-old, even though a deal in principle had been clinched between the two clubs.
It is understood that Rafa Benitez has been impressed with Longstaff during the pre-season schedule and a temporary exit for the player in the current transfer window now looks unlikely.
OPINION
Even though Longstaff has impressed in pre-season friendlies, what are the chances of him being used in the first team squad by Benitez in the Premier League? Benitez has widely-reported to have been less than happy with the quality of the younger players at St James’ Park and had little to no trust in playing them last season. Longstaff is surely better off being sent out on loan to Portsmouth than he is sitting in the Under-23s on Tyneside. The loan window remains open up until the end of August, so there is another month for Benitez to change his mind because waiting until January can see Longstaff’s development stall. If he is playing well in pre-season games then the best cause of action is to allow him to continue his momentum in first team football in League One. Portsmouth may not want to sign him on loan in January if his performances in Premier League 2 fail to impress.