Eddie Howe sets asking price for Sean Longstaff as Leeds United contemplate fourth bid
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Leeds United have made three attempts to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United so far this summer.
After securing a return to the Premier League, Leeds are looking to add some experience to their side and have heavily targeted Newcastle this summer, having been linked with moves for Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock and Nick Pope.
So far, the only one Leeds have acted on is their interest in Longstaff, who Newcastle have made available for sale this summer, although nobody seems to have told Eddie Howe.
Newcastle were thought to have accepted Leeds' third bid of £10 million plus £2 million in add-ons, only for reports to come out confirming that the deal had been rejected.
Sean longstaff 16 apr 202516
Leeds could still return with another bid for Sean Longstaff
Eddie Howe reportedly wants £20 million for Sean Longstaff
Longstaff recently signed a one-year contract extension with Newcastle, but it wasn't to keep him at the club; it was so the Magpies could receive a fee for him when he was sold. The plan was originally to sell Longstaff in January, but the player pleaded to stay as Newcastle were on course for silverware. It proved to be an astute move by Longstaff, but it's now thought he's happy to move on.
There was chatter amongst the Leeds United fanbase this morning that they had gone back with a fourth bid of £13 million plus £2 million in add-ons, but there has yet to be any confirmation of this bid by reputable sources.
Instead, TeamTALK are reporting that Eddie Howe has set an asking price of £20 million for the 27-year-old midfielder, which seems a tad high, even to us.
Is £20m a realistic price for Sean Longstaff?
£15 million should be enough to take Sean Longstaff away from Newcastle
I used to do a football podcast with a Leeds fan, and he tipped me off to the £13m+£2m bid this morning, and I suggested that would be enough to get the deal done. Newcastle shouldn't realistically be expecting more than £15 million for Longstaff when he's been made available, and has less than a year left on his contract.
Any fee we receive for Longstaff is 'pure profit', and while we understand wanting to get as much money as we can this summer, we also have to be realistic.
Newcastle refuse to overpay for anyone; we shouldn't expect other clubs to overpay either. However, until that £15 million bid becomes a reality, we've got no idea how Newcastle will react; they may well accept it.
UPDATE: In the two hours since writing this piece and it going live, The Athletic have reported that a bid has indeed been accepted and Longstaff looks to be on his way to Elland Road, provided terms are agreed.