Leeds United have tried with three separate approaches to Newcastle United to sign midfielder Sean Longstaff, but are expected to up their bid if they wish to sign the 27-year-old.
Leeds’ approach to recruitment thus far after a 100-point campaign in the Championship has been much more reserved than many expect, especially when juxtaposed to the hefty outlays regularly seen by playoff winners Sunderland.
Four signings in the door by July 14 is a faster process than the previous two summers under the 49ers, but the club have virtually no margin for error between now and the start of the Premier League season, as leaving business late could see Leeds playing catchup when their position as a newly-promoted side already suggests they are.
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Sean Longstaff state of play – Newcastle United “likely” to sell this summer amid Leeds United interest
Leeds have seen three bids knocked back by Newcastle United for midfielder Sean Longstaff this summer, the latest amounting to £10million plus a further £2million in add-ons.
The latest initially appeared to see Leeds press on towards an agreement, having already convinced Longstaff himself of a move to Elland Road, but his club are holding out for more – as The Athletic report.
(Action Images via Reuters/Scott Heppell)
With pre-season underway across the Premier League, the Magpies are claimed to be “likely” to sell the 27-year-old Leeds target before the summer window shuts, as he represents one of Eddie Howe’s most viable saleable assets as an academy graduate that is low down the pecking order.
Howe isn’t currently pushing Longstaff out of the door despite him agreeing personal terms with Leeds, knowing that Longstaff contributes heavily to Newcastle’s ‘club-trained’ UEFA quota for the Champions League, and his exit could bring issues for overall squad registration for next season’s competition.
“Although the club are confident they could cope — they can still register up to 25 senior players in the Premier League, and several squad members are aged 21 or under so do not have to be ‘named’ — it would be far from ideal.
“The costs and benefits of allowing Longstaff to leave are being actively debated inside St James’ Park and the offers received have not decisively tipped the balance towards selling.
“The expectation is that may well change as the summer progresses.”
Leeds United either need to up their Longstaff bid ASAP or pursue other targets
Longstaff would be a very good signing at the right price for Leeds, adding some bite and experience tothe midfield in a side that is going to have to dig deep often next season.
However, the key sticking point here is “at the right price” – Leeds need to either slightly up their bid and see if Newcastle are ready to sell, or start looking at alternatives.
Longstaff is by no means the only midfielder with top flight experience that can perform this role that we’d have him in.
For example, Aston Villa’s Enzo Barrenechea would be a very viable signing at a similar price, while being a few years younger and off the back of a season of guaranteed starts at Carlos Corberan’s well-drilled Valencia.