Leeds United are days away from starting their pre-season program against Manchester United this weekend, but frantic work is being done behind the scenes to properly improve the squad ahead of their return to the Premier League at the start of next season in August.
The Whites have already signed four new players – Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson – to improve the depth of the squad this summer. The club have plans to bring in more players who will be ready to hit the ground running in the Premier League.
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Leeds want Premier League-proven talent in their squad to aid their survival hopes next season, and Sean Longstaff has continued to remain a key target for the club despite Newcastle rejecting their last offer of £12m last week.
Newcastle are ready to sell the player, and it seems the club expect a deal to go through soon, as the Magpies are stepping up efforts to replace Longstaff in the squad next season.
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Sean Longstaff edges closer to Leeds United transfer as Newcastle seek replacement
Leeds are expected to table a fourth bid for the midfielder, who is rated at £17m by Newcastle this summer, and a deal is likely to go through if the Whites hit that number.
Newcastle expect the midfielder to leave, as it has been claimed that the Whites are now putting plans in place to secure a replacement for him.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher has emerged as a top target for the Magpies this summer.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been a fan of the England midfielder since he was at Chelsea, and is keen to take him to St. James’ Park in the ongoing transfer window.
Gallagher is seen as a major upgrade on Longstaff, who the club are expecting to sell in the coming weeks.
The midfielder could be open to returning to England this summer as he is not a starting eleven player at Atletico Madrid, and he wants to play more football to get back into the Three Lions set-up ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Longstaff to Leeds seems inevitable
Leeds have other midfield options on their table, but clearly, Longstaff is seen as a top target and the club have not walked away from a deal yet.
A fourth bid is more than likely, and with Newcastle keen to sell the midfielder, the 27-year-old is expected to end up at Elland Road in the coming weeks.
He is keen on a move to Leeds as personal terms are in place between the two sides, and the Whites see him as a key target because of his Premier League experience.
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