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Newcastle’s “magnificent” gem attracting interest
Newcastle United are expected to have a busy summer in the transfer window, and sporting director Paul Mitchell will be in the driving seat to recruit depth and quality.
The Magpies are currently third in the Premier League table, with a huge opportunity to upgrade their already confirmed Conference League spot to the most elite European competition in the Champions League.
If they do manage to pull off their ambitions in their remaining fixtures, it will be important that Eddie Howe has the squad depth to compete comfortably across all competitions.
The sale of Miguel Almiron and the loan with an obligation to buy for Lloyd Kelly to Juventus in January has given Newcastle the boost they needed to their transfer funds ahead of the summer.
Mitchell will likely have a lot more room to explore recruitment options with a healthier budget, but earning a spot in the Champions League would also give them further leverage to attract high-quality players to match their ambitions of further success.
While most supporters will be keeping a keen eye on incomings, there are also expected to be outgoings with some players out of contract and also, potential opportunities to cash in on those who have become surplus to requirements.
The i Paper has revealed that Leeds United are interested in signing Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff this summer, ahead of their hard-fought return to the Premier League next season.
Leeds confirmed their promotion back to the top-flight after two years in the Championship, and will now look to strengthen their squad to ensure they can sustain their Premier League status.
Will Newcastle sell Sean Longstaff?
Depth in the squad will be crucial in Newcastle’s approach to next season, as their 2023/24 campaign was a strong example of how having a smaller squad can affect your competitiveness across all competitions.
The Magpies suffered a horrendous injury crisis that nobody could’ve foreseen during the previous campaign, which ultimately cost them further progression in the Premier League and in Europe.
If they do earn Champions League qualification, it will be important to look at the mistakes that were made and how they can build on ensuring they can have an ambitious season, with maybe even more silverware added to their trophy cabinet.
For that reason, it will be interesting to see whether Newcastle would entertain any interest for Longstaff given his experience and contribution, though that is likely to depend on what other clubs are willing to offer for his services.
Similarly to Almiron, the club were not interested in taking anything less than what they perceived to be the right price for their right winger and pushed back interest until a fee that made sense came to the table.
The 27-year-old midfielder – hailed “magnificent” by teammate Joe Willock – has recently spoken out about his future at his boyhood club:
“I want to be valued as a player, I want to be appreciated as a player and whether it’s here great. If it’s not here and it’s somewhere else, it’ll be somewhere else.
“In a way I live day to day, game to game and I just try and take in every game. I get to go to work every day and spend it with my best friends, I don’t know what’s coming ahead.
“I don’t know what’s coming down the line, I just try to embrace every day and enjoy every minute because ultimately it won’t last forever.”
With all considered, Longstaff will be in the last year of his contract next season so it will be down to the club and the player to weigh up what would be the best option for both parties in the upcoming window.
