Speaking to This Is Futbol, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Rafael Benitez would be interested in signing Sean Longstaff for Everton.
Longstaff is out of contract at Newcastle next summer and could be targeted by his ex-manager in a cut-price deal before then.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton’s interest in the player from the last transfer window has not gone away and the Merseyside club believe that he will be available in January because of his contract situation.
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Ultimately, for Palmer, Longstaff is a player he can see Benitez targeting. On the 23-year-old Newcastle midfielder, the ex-Leeds United star said:
“I’m sure Rafa would be interested in signing a player of his quality. I mean, that’s the thing now, if his contract’s up next summer and he doesn’t sign a new contract and somebody comes in, then you’ve got to move him on.”
Indeed, it certainly would not be a surprise to see Benitez make a move for Longstaff in January.
The Spaniard has already shown at Everton that he does like to work with players he knows and trusts after signing Andros Townsend and Salomon Rondon, both once of Newcastle. For a cheap fee in January or on a free transfer next summer, Longstaff could make it a hat-trick.