Leeds United failed with a third bid to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United as The Whites tabled an initial £10m, plus £2m more in add-ons, only to receive a firm no.
Interest in Longstaff is nothing new from Leeds and certainly, during Daniel Farke’s era as manager. The 27-year-old midfielder is now in the final year of his contract and The Toon need to make some sales.
Longstaff represents pure profit in the eyes of PSR. However, Newcastle’s qualification for the Champions League also means the midfielder represents a homegrown option when it comes to registration rules.
As things stand, it is unclear if Leeds will return with a fourth offer for the midfielder. Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that he expects Leeds to do so, but the feeling at Leeds is a move is unlikely.
Sean Longstaff at St. James' Park before Newcastle United vs Brentford.
Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images
What Newcastle board are now expecting over Longstaff future
Ultimately, the decision will come down to Longstaff. The player is understood to want to move, but is not kicking up a fuss given Newcastle is his boyhood club and he is happy to remain if that is the case.
The Athletic discusses Longstaff’s future after Leeds’ bid. They say that the Newcastle board often debates Longstaff’s future – whether he stays or leaves for Leeds – and the advantages and disadvantages of that.
Ultimately, any bid received for Longstaff is yet to convince Newcastle it is worth selling. But, The Athletic say that the ‘expectation’ is that will change as the summer goes on, with the need to sell likely to go up.
Sean Longstaff celebrates Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Sean Longstaff is sixth choice, and could find himself worse off
There is no doubt that Newcastle need a big squad after a return to Europe, but he is in real danger of failing even to make a matchday squad. Newcastle boast one of the best midfield trios in England.
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Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes. A mixture of physicality, guile, technique – the Toon trio have all that is required to shine in the Premier League. Behind them as first reserve is £25m man Joe Willock.
Then, it is Toon academy products Longstaff and Lewis Miley, with preference likely to go to the latter given he is a teenager. Newcastle also want to sign England star Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.
If Gallagher arrives at Newcastle, then it pushes Longstaff down the pecking order even further. It is not even a guarantee that Gallagher starts, meaning Longstaff has no chance. If he wants to play, he must go.