Sean Longstaff wants to stay at Newcastle United amid speculation surrounding his future at St James’ Park, according to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie.
The North-East reporter told Sky Sports News’ Transfer Talk podcast on Friday [56m04s] that he has spoken with people who are close to the 21-year-old midfielder, and the general feeling is that he will not be leaving Tyneside in the summer transfer window.
The Telegraph has recently reported that Manchester United are set to table a bid to sign Longstaff, but according to Downie, the central-midfielder is not expected to go anywhere.
“Having spoken to people close to Longstaff, he’s happy here. He wants to stay at Newcastle,” Downie said.
“I don’t think in a desperate rush to move. He’s thankful for the opportunity he’s been given and with the likes of Isaac Hayden likely to move on, Jonjo Shelvey possibly moving on, they really need to keep Longstaff because it will leave them very, very short in midfield.
“I would be surprised if he moved on this summer, I think he’s still got a lot to do at Newcastle.”
OPINION
It is imperative that Newcastle United hang on to Longstaff this summer because as Downie says, he plays in a position that could be gutted during the transfer window. Hayden and Shelvey are two players who have been linked with leaving St James’ Park for some time now and with Hayden wanting to move closer to his family in London, the chances of him going are bigger than ever. Shelvey has dropped down the pecking order and he may also want to leave, so Longstaff could be a key player next season once he returns to full fitness. In the second-half of the season, because his injury blow, Longstaff showed that he is ready to play regularly in the Premier League. One thing Rafa Benitez did wrong was wait too long to give the 21-year-old a chance in the senior squad. Hopefully Benitez can stay on into next season and continue developing the exciting young midfielder.