EFL outfits in battle to seal Longstaff deal
MATTY Longstaff is attracting interest from a number of EFL clubs and head coach Eddie Howe admits Newcastle are looking at loaning the midfielder out again.
The 22-year-old ended last season with League Two Mansfield after a woeful stint with Aberdeen was cut short in January.
With Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Joelinton, Jonjo Shelvey, Longstaff’s elder brother Sean and even teen star Elliot Anderson all ahead of him in the pecking order, he faces a battle to get any gametime at St James’ Park this season.
Longstaff has spent time with the first team and with the under-21 squad, playing well in the 3-1 win at Blackburn last week, and
Howe has been impressed by his attitude.
He said: “I think he is in a slightly different position with the competition in midfielder because it is such a strong unit for us.
“We may look to maybe open the loan market to him again.”
Longstaff is now in the final year of his contract and could be the latest fringe player to extend his contract before going out on loan, as United did with now-departed goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
When asked about that prospect, Howe added: “We will see what comes up for Matty.
“What he has shown in pre-season is a brilliant attitude.
“He is brilliant around the group, loves Newcastle - he is Newcastle through and through.
“He has a great relationship with his brother and the lads love him.
“We would open the door to him to maybe get football for his own benefit. We will wait and see.”
Longstaff made a name for himself by scoring on his Premier League debut in a 1-0 winner against Manchester United in October 2019 but has struggled since then.
He finished that season with three goals in 15 games, also scoring against the Red Devils at Old Trafford, but since then has played just five times for the Magpies as injuries and a contract stand-off have taken their toll.