· 9 July 2025, 13:00
**There's increasing confidence that Sean Longstaff is heading to Leeds United in a deal worth £12 million as the Newcastle United academy product accepts it is time to move on.**
We have to give full credit to Sean Longstaff, who signed a one-year contract extension during the last season, knowing that it was purely so we could bring in a transfer fee for him this summer rather than lose him for free.
A die-hard Newcastle fan, Longstaff would rather see Newcastle recoup some money for him rather than the club being out of pocket, especially given that sales of academy products are 100% profit in terms of PSR, giving Newcastle more wiggle room in the transfer market.
£12 million may not seem like a lot for an English midfielder with bags of Premier League experience, but that fee is massive in terms of PSR.
Jack Rudoni - 'The best player outside of the Premier League'
Craig Hope says Newcastle are eyeing Coventry's Jack Rudoni
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Craig Hope was asked in his [Newcastle Confidential column](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14885263/Newcastle-United-transfer-news-Craig-Hope-Isak-Elanga-Trafford-Livramento.html) if the club would be looking to replace Longstaff if he's sold, and the journalist was clear that he would be replaced.
Indeed, Hope says that Eddie Howe has his sights set on Jack Rudoni of Coventry, who has been dubbed by several scouts as the best player outside of the Premier League.
The 24-year-old versatile midfielder played 50 games for Coventry last season and contributed 10 goals and 13 assists. Perhaps more importantly, though, Rudoni has covered every single midfield role throughout his career, making him the ideal signing for Eddie Howe.
Jack Rudoni missed out on the Premier League, suffering a Play-Off final defeat to Sunderland
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After Coventry missed out on promotion to the Premier League, Rudoni may see a move to Newcastle as the ideal step.
Obviously, the task ahead of him should he join Newcastle is monumental as it will take some impressive showings in training for Howe to consider replacing any of the current midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, who form arguably the best midfield trio in the Premier League.
However, given Rudoni's ability to play all over the park, he could cover each of the midfield trio if they were injured, and could also step in on the wings if needed.
This looks like a fantastic move for Newcastle. Let's just hope there's some truth to it and that Coventry, and indeed Rudoni, would be keen on a deal.