Newcastle United have an extremely difficult decision to make regarding Leeds United target Sean Longstaff.
The 27-year-old was close to a move away earlier this month, only for Newcastle United to reject Leeds’ £12million Longstaff bid.
A new approach from Leeds could be on the horizon, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey speaking exclusively to Geordie Boot Boys about Longstaff’s future at St James’ Park.
Sean Longstaff applauds the Newcastle United fans after beating Manchester United.
Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Sean Longstaff ‘likely’ to leave Newcastle United, but is not forcing an exit
Longstaff remains likely to leave Newcastle United, but Bailey has told Geordie Boot Boys that the local lad certainly is not pushing for a move away.
“There is an expectation that Leeds United will come back in for him,” he said.
“I think it is something that the player would be open to. It’s an intriguing situation for Newcastle, especially with the lack of homegrown players for the Champions League.
“Longstaff would like the move, but he is also not desperate to get out. If Eddie Howe said to him ‘you need to go’ then he would. From what I am told, Longstaff is not really banging on the door to let him go.
“From what I am hearing, it is more likely than not that he will leave Newcastle, be it to Leeds or another club.
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“The benefits of selling him for the pure profit should outweigh the homegrown player issue. It’s not like this is an Elliot Anderson or Yankuba Minteh situation. It’s very different.”
The factors Newcastle United are weighing up as Sean Longstaff waits on
There is a key reason for and against Newcastle United selling Longstaff.
The main reason they should sell him is to enhance their financial situation. Selling Longstaff will massively improve Newcastle’s PSR position, as he is a homegrown player. That means whatever money they receive will go down as pure profit.
He is now in the final 12 months of his contract, and could leave as a free agent in 2026. From a business perspective, that would be disastrous.
Now is the time to sell. Newcastle could always extend his contract again and then sell him next year, but he is massively out of favour at St James’ Park and his value will surely only decrease in the eyes of his suitors.
Alternatively, Newcastle will be able to name a bigger Champions League squad if they keep Longstaff at St James’ Park. Clubs must name four club-trained players in their 25-man Champions League squad. If they are unable to, they are forced to name a smaller squad.
Longstaff is Newcastle’s only homegrown player. If he stays and is named in the Champions League squad, the Magpies would only be able to pick 22 players. If Longstaff leaves, that number will decrease to 21.
Neither situation is ideal, but the PSR benefits should outweigh Newcastle’s Champions League squad dilemma.