Leeds United have managed to find a breakthrough in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff after a deal in principle was agreed last night.
As per usual protocol, once personal terms are formalised and a medical is completed, the deal could be rubber-stamped in due course. Longstaff is currently away in Austria with Newcastle for their pre-season training camp but the recent news infers that he will be granted permission to finalise contract details.
The midfielder clearly sits high on the Whites' shortlist with this latest approach now the fourth offer submitted. Reports suggest £12million with £3m inn add-ons is the new fee. Newcastle were determined to squeeze as much as they could out of Leeds, whose spending this window soon looks set to eclipse £40m.
When the third bid - £10m plus £2m in add-ons - was rejected, one Newcastle insider outlined to Leeds Live that they would be surprised if Longstaff is not ultimately sold. That’s because the 27-year-old only has 12 months left on his contract, having had his year-long extension triggered last season.
There are only two windows, therefore, to nab a fee for the academy graduate, with a renewal unlikely. Eddie Howe is a fan of Longstaff but cannot guarantee him extended game time. He started just eight Premier League matches last season and none came after January 1.
Obviously, the best time to sell is in the summer and Longstaff’s market value would have only been further curtailed by January if he stays given he would have just six months left on his deal. The big carrot for Newcastle is acquiring pure profit.
Having spent £55m on Anthony Elanga with a big-money move for another attacker also potentially in the works, Newcastle need to balance the books. This might have fuelled their decision to hold out for more for Longstaff, who scored in a secret friendly on Saturday.
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Though never pushing for an exit, the player was always open to a move to Leeds and has clearly now made a firm decision. He would likely be in line for a pay rise at Elland Road and it's thought his ideal scenario saw him sold this summer to help Newcastle’s financial foothold, rather than leave for nothing next year.
Furthermore, Leeds can offer him more game time. The Whites are severely lacking in Premier League experience across their midfield options with only 26 games between them - all of them belonging to Ethan Ampadu. Longstaff boasts 171 Premier League games on his CV.
Leeds presently only have four senior midfield options, though Darko Gyabi’s next steps are to be determined following his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle.
More midfield signings after Longstaff have not been ruled out. Anton Stach of Hoffenheim remains on the radar, despite reduced optimism of a deal happening amid the expectancy of a long drawn-out chase due to rival interest.
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