Jack Rudoni is a midfield “option” for Newcastle United if the Premier League club sell Sean Longstaff to Leeds United, it has been claimed.
Leeds submitted a £12m bid for Longstaff earlier this week which has been rejected by the Magpies. According to The Athletic, personal terms are already in place with Leeds and Longstaff, but the move remains subject to a fee being agreed with Newcastle. Sources close to Leeds have suggested Newcastle are looking for a fee closer to £15m.
The Daily Mail has previously reported that Eddie Howe’s recruitment team are admirers of Rudoni, who was this week confirmed as the club’s player of the year after an outstanding opening season at the CBS Arena following his move from Huddersfield Town.
Mail Sport's north east writer Craig Hope wrote this week: “Longstaff looks set for Leeds. As for a replacement, it will be explored, for sure. There is a feeling it would be difficult to sign a midfielder to improve upon a first-choice three of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, and staff are expecting Lewis Miley to have a big season.
“Then there is Joe Willock, who could be transformed if coming through pre-season without any injury setbacks. That is a very good stable of five midfielders.”
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He concluded, however, that: “Newcastle like Jack Rudoni at Coventry. There is a feeling the 24-year-old is the best player outside the Premier League - this is shared by many scouts I’ve spoken to - and he will be on the list of potential midfield options.
“But I also think Newcastle will prioritise other areas first and see how the land lies with their midfield a little down the line.”
Rudoni is one of City’s most saleable assets right now but Frank Lampard will be keen to keep him at the club for at least one more season as the Sky Blues mount another promotion push. The player and head coach have struck up a close bond since Lampard’s appointment last November, since when there has been a clear improvement in Rudoni’s stats.
Rudoni supported Chelsea as a lad and Lampard is one of his boyhood idols, and he’s clearly keen to learn and develop under his guidance, and it’s fair to say that it would take a huge bid for the club to even consider letting him go this summer.
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