Newcastle United simply cannot afford to upset their loyal fans in the post-takeover era by letting Matty Longstaff go after transfer news emerged from The Times that the central midfield player is poised to move to Serie A after talks about extending his contract at the Tyneside club reportedly broke down this week.

As pet the report, Longstaff is still on the first professional terms that he signed in July 2018, a contract which is worth about £800 per week and runs out at the end of this month.

Udinese are apparently the front-runners to sign the midfielder. The Italian side are believed to have offered a five-year deal on better terms than the Magpies were prepared to give and have plotted a career development plan that they believe will help the player become a full international.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie also gave some insight into the deal on his official Twitter page, claiming that Longstaff has been offered £30,000 a week but apparently wants to stay. Udinese are the only team to have made a concrete offer so far but, due to the takeover situation at the Toon, talks have reached an impasse.

Newcastle cannot afford to upset the supporters in the post-takeover era by letting one of their own go, as Longstaff has progressed through the Magpies' Transfermarkt.

Many supporters will perhaps want a loyal player from the pre-takeover era to take them through the journey under the proposed new ownership and the Englishman could well fit the bill, so they should look to keep him at all costs.

Geordies, would you potentially break your wage structure to keep Matty Longstaff? Comment below with your views!