Newcastle United may suddenly need to replace Sean Longstaff as he gets set to join Leeds United.
It was reported on Tuesday night that Newcastle have agreed to sell Longstaff to Leeds, with the newly-promoted side set to pay £15million for the 27-year-old.
It represents good business from the Magpies, with Newcastle fans impressed by the Longstaff deal. That £15million will go down as pure profit due to him coming through the club’s academy.
Newcastle will need to replace Longstaff. They could sign someone, or they could promote from within.
🚨⚪️ Newcastle have authorized Sean Longstaff to undergo medical at Leeds United, agreement sealed.#LUFC set to pay fee in excess of £12m for Longstaff who said yes to the project in June.
Here we go. ✅ pic.twitter.com/bEnn4wgmok
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2025
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Newcastle United stars joined by Travis Hernes in Austria
Lewis Miley is going to play more regularly this season. That was always going to be the case, regardless of Longstaff’s future. But there is another Toon youngster who could replace Longstaff, and Eddie Howe is getting a very close look at him right now.
The Newcastle United squad are over in Austria for a pre-season training camp, with the likes of Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali reuniting with their Toon teammates ahead of a busy summer. They are joined by Travis Hernes, a 19-year-old centre-midfielder who is yet to make his senior debut for the Magpies.
Hernes has featured heavily in Newcastle United’s official training photos, working alongside other midfielders such as Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
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It is a great opportunity for the teenager, especially as there does not appear to be too many academy players away with the first-team. Other than Hernes, Leo Shahar, Alex Murphy and Max Thompson, no other Newcastle United youngster has been pictured.
The reason that Hernes has been called up is unknown, but it is a great chance for him to rub shoulders with Newcastle’s senior stars and prove to Howe that he can be a first-team player moving forward.
Travis Hernes runs alongside Harrison Ashby, Leo Shahar and Sandro Tonali during a Newcastle United training session.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Travis Hernes could get Newcastle United chance on Saturday
Hernes has already made one Newcastle United appearance this summer, featuring in the behind closed doors win over Carlisle United.
His next opportunity is on a much grander stage, with Howe’s side set to face Celtic at Celtic Park on Saturday. It is a big game for Newcastle, as they take on a Champions League rival.
For Hernes, he will hope to get some minutes under his belt and showcase what he can do against strong opposition. The better he plays, the more likely it is that he becomes the Longstaff replacement, rather than a new signing arriving.
That would be the perfect situation for Newcastle, as it would mean they have more money to spend elsewhere. Newcastle want a striker, a goalkeeper and a centre-back this summer, with plenty of business still to be done between now and 1st September.