Alan Hutton has given his reaction to a Newcastle United exit rumour involving Sean Longstaff.
The Lowdown: Price revealed
As per The Daily Mail, the St. James' Park faithful have set a £10m asking price if they were to sell Longstaff before the summer transfer ends, following reported interest from both Everton and Southampton.
The central midfield player only has a year left remaining on his current deal in the North East, and so they risk losing him for free next summer.
The Latest: Hutton on Longstaff
Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa right-back Hutton has claimed that the Toon Army would be annoyed if they ended up selling Longstaff, especially if they do not bring in any more players before the deadline hits:
“These are the things that really annoy the supporters.
“When they’re seeing their homegrown players come through and then get sold on or whatever.
“He did kind of burst onto the scene and then it’s just kind of cooled off a little bit. It’s been difficult.
“The type of football that Steve Bruce plays and the formation that he plays might not suit him down to the ground.
“I just don’t think it’s something that the fans will be happy seeing. They’re not bringing anyone in and then there’s a possibility of these guys going.
“It’s not ideal. I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to sign him to a long-term deal. I don’t think it will go down well.”
The Verdict: Sell
Even though Longstaff is a homegrown player, and so the fans would want to see him do well, he only has year left remaining on his contract, and it does not look as if he will be offered a new deal.
Thus, to get £10m for a player that can leave for free a year from now would be good business by the Tyneside club, and could then be used to bring in one or two more players to help fill out Steve Bruce's squad.
Yes, selling to a direct rival in the Premier League would certainly not be ideal, but it is a sacrifice that the Magpies should be willing to take from a financial point of view.
In other news, find out which 'spectacular' maestro NUFC are eyeing here!