Former Sunderland ace Kevin Phillips has shared his latest thoughts to Football Insider about Newcastle United man Matty Longstaff as news broke that Udinese had tabled him a lucrative contract.

Sky Sports revealed that the academy graduate, who currently earns just £850 per week, has been offered a deal by the Italian team believed to be in the region of £30,000-a-week with a signing-on bonus.

The Tyneside club's original contract offer was just half of that but The Telegraph now claim that they have come back with an improved offer worth more than £20,000 per week.

Phillips insisted the Series A side would be getting a bargain with the compensation fee for Longstaff, said to be only £400,000.

“I was shocked,” the ex-England striker told Football Insider.

“You would not put Udinese as one of the biggest Italian clubs.

“I was surprised but they might be able to get him for £400,000 which is nothing to get a player of his quality.

“It would be a great lifestyle move for him but at his age he just wants to learn and play football.

“He will be thinking, that if the new owners come in and bring in a new manager, he might not be their kind of player.”

Perhaps Phillips is right when he says that Udinese are not one of the biggest Italian clubs, as they are arguably struggling in Italy's top flight and are currently languishing in 14th place, just three points above the relegation zone, as per BBC.

The England under-20 international, who will be out of contract on 30 June, has scored three goals in 12 senior appearances under Steve Bruce this campaign so far, according to Transfermarkt.

By breaking through into the first team, he has shown the quality that Phillips believes he has, but moving to a different country may prove to be a great lifestyle move for him. Moreover, at only 20 years of age, Longstaff may just want to learn and play football as Phillips suggests.

However, under potentially new owners and possibly a new manager, providing that the prospective takeover at St. James' Park is approved by the Premier League, the central midfielder may not be their 'marquee' kind of player.

Geordies, will Matty Longstaff be at Newcastle next season? Comment below with your views!