According to the Chronicle, Sean Longstaff is set to sign a new contract at Newcastle United.
The midfielder’s current deal is set to expire in the summer, but it seems as though Rafa Benitez wants Longstaff to hang around.
In recent years, we haven’t seen many players graduate from the Newcastle academy, with Paul Dummett being the last.
There is hope that Longstaff can be the next, but will he get the chance to prove himself?
Longstaff must get some Premier League minutes
The youngster has reportedly been tracked by the likes of Celtic and Rangers, which should tell Newcastle all they need to know about the former Blackpool loanee.
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So far this season, we have seen Longstaff just once. He started in the Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest, in a game where he struggled.
However, so did the rest of his teammates, and the local lad at least tried to make things happen for the Magpies.
As for the Premier League, the 20-year-old is yet to make his debut.
He was meant to be going out on loan to League One this season, but Benitez insisted he remained in the North East.
And if he’s here, we might as well use him. Midfield options aren’t great at Newcastle right now, so using Longstaff off the bench can only be beneficiary.
The kid will get a taste of first-team football, while it will aid his development into a future Newcastle star.
Often used as an attacking midfielder, Longstaff has an eye for the spectacular. That means he could be used just behind the striker, where Ayoze Perez has been less than successful this season.
If he’s getting a new long-term contract, then Longstaff needs to get a chance to prove he deserves it.