Clubs lining up to sign Matty - Rob

OTHER Premier League clubs could look to take advantage of Newcastle United’s contract stand-off with Matty Longstaff and look to poach him.

That is the view of former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who believes the Magpies could regret letting the talented midfielder go for so little.

The 20-year-old academy product has made a big impression at St James’ Park this season, scoring home and away against Manchester United in the Premier League and earning England Under-20 honours.

However, he could soon be heading out of St James Park, with his £850-per-week deal due to expire at the end of this month.

Serie A club Udinese are said to have offered Longstaff a fiveyear deal worth EUR35,000 per week, which is more than double what he is believed to have been offered to stay at Newcastle.

The midfielder is considering the move to Italy but Robinson believes there could be a few more twists and turns in the transfer saga yet.

He said: “To lose a player of that quality for that price would not be great.

“It is still so early in his career and he would be moving into the unknown.

“I think he would be a lot better playing in this country.

“I cannot imagine it would be his first choice.

“Is it for financial gain? I am not so sure, for that amount of money, it would be worth taking the chance of moving to a different country, a different style of football in a different league.

“If he did not want to stay at Newcastle I am sure there would be a lot of suitors in this country who would match Udinese’s offer if money was important.”