Manchester United are set to table a bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff in the next 48 hours, according to the Telegraph.
The newspaper claims that Rafa Benitez wants to keep hold of the impressive 21-year-old and any move that sees him leave St James’ Park in the summer would “place further strain” on the manager’s relationship with the Magpies hierarchy.
Benitez has been holding talks about his future on Tyneside this week with his contract set to expire soon.
And it seems as though the possibility of losing Longstaff to Man United could be problematic in Newcastle’s discussions with the Spanish manager.
Good move for Newcastle?
Newcastle should not entertain the idea of losing Longstaff if it means that Benitez’s chances of leaving increase.
Benitez is the best thing about the Magpies and keeping hold of him and keeping him happy should be top of the to-do list for Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley.
Longstaff is a good young player and it is understandable to see why Man United are plotting a bid to sign him, but that is exactly why Newcastle need to rebuff interest in the English midfielder.
It would make no sense to cash in on him this summer anyway.
Longstaff has only played nine times in the Premier League, imagine how much Ashley could pocket off selling him next year after he gets a full season under his belt.
This is Futbol rating 0/10
Likely to happen?
Man United definitely look like they want to bid for Longstaff, but this all comes down to how much Newcastle can resist the desperate top-six club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is clearly keen on overhauling his squad in the summer after such a disappointing season at Old Trafford and they could offer a big amount to lure Longstaff to the North-West.
However if losing Longstaff means that Benitez might go too, then Newcastle are surely going to stand firm and resist any offer.
This is Futbol rating 4/10