---
title: "Newcastle United: Noel Whelan says Matty Longstaff could follow Paul Gascoigne’s path"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-noel-whelan-says-matty-longstaff-could-follow-paul-gascoignes-path/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2020-06-12T11:30:29Z"
modified: "2020-06-12T11:30:29Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Noel Whelan says Matty Longstaff could follow Paul Gascoigne’s path

**Noel Whelan has revealed to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-newcastle-player-told-to-follow-in-footsteps-of-gazza-after-sky-reveal/) that Newcastle United central midfield player Matty Longstaff could follow in the footsteps of Paul Gascoigne if he moves to Italy in the upcoming summer transfer window.**

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As per the outlet, the former striker of Leeds United has urged him to follow the path of Gazza and move to the Serie A after Udinese tabled Longstaff a rather lucrative contract.

Whelan claimed that the 20-year-old will only improve if he is playing football regularly, which he may not get if he decides to stay at St. James’ Park.

[Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11999361/matty-longstaff-newcastle-midfielder-offered-udinese-contract) revealed last week that Longstaff has been offered a £30,000-a-week contract with a relatively healthy signing-on bonus to join the Italian outfit.

The original contract offer from the Tyneside club was just half of that figure but the Magpies have since returned with a much improved deal worth over £20,000-a-week.

Longstaff, who is out of contract on 30 June, has scored three goals in 12 senior appearances so far in the 2019/20 season, according to [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matthew-longstaff/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/484387/plus/0?saison=2019&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=).

When asked by the outlet if a move abroad could be beneficial for the England Under-20 international, Whelan told the publication:

*“Is he going to be playing week in, week out at Newcastle next season? Probably not. He will be a bit-part player.*

*“He needs to think about his own career and being somewhere where he is a permanent fixture in a side. That is the only way to progress his talent.*

*“I know he is Newcastle born and bred and he supports the club but you have got to start your career off somewhere.*

*“With this takeover looming there is a lot of players who may be surplus to requirements because they will be looking for international quality players to break into the top-six. He needs to look after himself.*

*“Playing in Italy is an attractive proposition – Serie A is a strong league again. “It would only develop him, experiencing that continental style of football. I think the Udinese offer is hard one to turn down.*

*“Gazza has been over there for Lazio, they love a Geordie over there!”*

Indeed, Gazza played 47 games for SS Lazio across three successive campaigns in all competitions, netting six times and providing three assists, as per [Transfermarkt](https://transfermarkt.co.uk/paul-gascoigne/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/3830/plus/0?saison=&verein=398&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=).

However, it is not guaranteed that Longstaff would have as much success in Italy, as he would have to adapt to a new country and potentially a new style of football.

Nevertheless, Whelan has suggested that he could develop as a player in the league, but only time will tell whether it would really be a good move for him.

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***Geordies, could Longstaff thrive in Italy? Comment below!***