Italy move could be ‘dangerous’

FORMER Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce has urged Magpies star Matty Longstaff to turn down a summer move to Italian side Udinese.

The 20-year-old midfielder has made a big impression at St James’ Park this season after breaking through from Newcastle’s academy.

The England Under-20 international has scored home and away against Manchester United in the Premier League during a breakout season but is yet to agree terms on a new deal on Tyneside.

Longstaff’s £850-per-week deal expires this month and he is free to talk to other sides about a move.

Udinese are said to have offered him a five-year deal worth £35,000 per week which is more than double what he is believed to have been offered to stay at Newcastle.

Longstaff, who has only made 12 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies, is considering the deal with no improved offer on the table from Newcastle but ex-England boss Allardyce believes it would be a risky move to swap the North East of England for the North East of Italy.

“It would upset the fans because they have welcomed him into the team and he has scored some important goals,” Allardyce told TalkSPORT.

“He is still very early on in his career so I think it is a dangerous move. For me, I don’t think it is a move for your career, it is a move for money.

“I think that would have been brought forward by his agent. Agents work in many countries now and clubs are looking for players they can get on the cheap.

“That is what is happening with Italy and Newcastle will get very little in the way of compensation which will push the price of his next contract at Newcastle up.

“It is a very difficult negotiation for the club to allow a young talent to run out of contract. That is the problem.

“I think it is more about the money than the football and I think the player should think long and hard about his football career first rather than the size of the contract financially.”