---
title: "Exclusive: Howey drops Longstaff claim as contract runs down"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-howey-drops-longstaff-claim-as-contract-runs-down-e184/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Harry Sherlock"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-07-31T16:40:02Z"
modified: "2021-07-31T16:40:02Z"
---

# Exclusive: Howey drops Longstaff claim as contract runs down

Former Newcastle United star Steve Howey believes that Sean Longstaff’s contract situation will give him extra motivation to perform at a high level this season.

The midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of the upcoming campaign, sparking fears at St James’ Park that he could well leave on a free transfer next summer.

Longstaff has emerged as a key player for the club in recent seasons and has made a total of [69 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sean-longstaff/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/346707), scoring four goals and laying on four assists.

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He played [22 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sean-longstaff/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/346707) in the Premier League last term and Howey believes that he will be keen to show exactly what he can do this season, either to earn a new contract or potentially convince another club to try to sign him on a free transfer.

And that may, in turn, ultimately work in Newcastle’s favour, as they look to improve on last term’s 12th-placed finish.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Howey said: *“I think it’s up to the player himself to make sure that he has a very, very good season. Because somebody that’s promised a lot when he first broke into the team, obviously had a dip in form, there’s injuries and stuff like that which happens, which is totally understandable.*

*“Now, he could hold all the cards because obviously he’s coming to the last year of his contract. If he has a really good season, then he can either pick the club that he wants to go to or he could be saying to Newcastle, ‘well listen, I want X, Y, and Z’ and it’s up to the club so I think it’s in his own interests if he has a really good season.”*