Sean Longstaff looks set to depart Newcastle United this summer after the club came to an agreement with Leeds United over a summer transfer.
Entering the final year of his contract, and having slipped down the midfield hierarchy, the local lad’s departure has been on the cards for months.
It’s set to be a significant boost to our PSR headroom however, as Longstaff was holding out for us to receive at least some money rather than leave on a free in 12 months time.
All eyes will now be on Eddie Howe and if he sticks with Lewis Miley and Joe Willock as his two back up options, or adds another midfielder to our list of transfers targets ahead of next season.
In news broken by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, and confirmed by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Sean Longstaff is set to be the latest name to join newly-promoted Leeds after we accepted their latest offer.
Daniel Farke’s side look set to sign the 27-year-old in a deal worth £15m, broke down into a £12m fee plus £3m in add-ons, after we recently turned down a bid of £10m plus £2m in add-ons last week.
The midfielder will now leave our training camp in Austria and undergo his medical ahead of a move to Elland Road, with personal terms and finer details said to be have been ‘no issue’.
🚨 EXCL: Leeds United strike agreement in principle with Newcastle United to sign Sean Longstaff. Deal for 27yo midfielder (in last 12 months of #NUFC terms) worth £12m + £3m achievable add-ons. Significant recruit for #LUFC before PL return @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/2Ef3oQeyse
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 15, 2025
Few can deny the impact that Longstaff has had in the black and white stripes. Having broke through under Rafa Benitez, Sean and younger brother Matty etched themselves into folklore with some big goals and performances.
On our return to the Champions League two years ago, Longstaff found our third of the night in the 4-1 humbling of PSG at St James’ Park.
And you could argue that without Longstaff and his game-winning penalty in the shootout against Nottingham Forest, there would be no eventual Carabao Cup triumph.
Eddie Howe still has his preferred midfield three of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton fit and ready for next season.
Behind them on the subs bench are Joe Willock and Lewis Miley, with youngsters like Alfie Harrison also waiting in the wings for an eventual call-up to the senior squad.
With the demands of Premier League and Champions League football, where we’ll very likely play at least 60 games of competitive football next season, numbers in midfield are essential.
But will Howe and the recruitment team see the English duo of Willock and Miley as sufficient enough depth? Or could we now see the club explore a move for a talent like Douglas Luiz in the near future to afford our starters some much needed rest in the domestic cup fixtures?
The £15m total fees will go a long way in the transfer market, owing to Longstaff’s homegrown player status, so if we thought we could spend big before, things could be about to get even bigger…