Longstaff ready to quit Magpies this month as talks over a new deal collapse
UDINESE LEAD THE CHASE
MATTY Longstaff is on course for a June 30 exit from Newcastle United and may have kicked his last ball for the Magpies after failing to agree on a new deal with the club.
The Chronicle reported last week that Longstaff had entered the danger zone at Newcastle after the Academy product returned to United after lockdown without the offer of an improved contract.
The 20-year-old would need to sign an extension to his current deal for him to play in the remaining topflight fixtures going into July but is not obliged to do so and due to the risk of injury will be advised not to.
With Serie A side Udinese ready to sign Longstaff, the youngster is now reaching decision time at United but there is also interest from Bordeaux in
Ligue 1 and Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The 14th-placed side in Italy are believed to have offered £30,000 per week to Longstaff and Newcastle will scrape together just over £400,000 for the youngster in compensation, having trained him since he was a schoolboy. Sources close to the player say the midfielder is impressed by the career plan on offer from Udinese. Longstaff ’s last appearance for the Magpies was in the 3-2 win over Oxford United on an evening in which BBC pundit Martin Keown had suggested the brothers looked like they were “on trial” as both put in strong performances in front of a watching owner Mike Ashley.
Longstaff’s rise to prominence came after an impressive pre-season in both China and then back in the UK, when he netted a scorching goal against St Etienne with his first touches for the senior side at St James’ Park.
Steve Bruce immediately blocked a planned loan move from League Two Bradford City to give him his chance in the 2019/20 season.
Longstaff’s winning goal against Manchester United resulted in bigname plaudits from Alan Shearer to Liam Gallagher no less, the former Oasis frontman singling out the youngster and his older brother Sean for praise at his concert at the Newcastle Arena.
Ashley was told he was a good prospect but the club did not increase their offer of a firstteam deal.
The Magpies will argue Longstaff would get his chance to prove himself and build up to a more lucrative contract, while the fact Udinese have a habit of loaning players to Watford should also be noted.
Giampaolo Pozzo is the owner of Udinese while his son Gino owns the Hornets and loans and transfer between the clubs have been frequent in recent times. Could Longstaff find himself back in the Premier League quicker than he thought depending on what happens in Italy?
Ashley has slipped off the radar in recent weeks and is refusing to sign off any big spending plans amid takeover talk.
Both Bruce and loan manager Shola Ameobi have spoken of their desire to hold on to the Geordie youngster – but his time at Newcastle will be up under the current regime unless there is a late U-turn this month.
Sources close to the player say the midfielder is impressed by the career plan on offer from the Italian side.