As a Times report claims a bid is being readied, a move to Manchester United from Newcastle for midfielder Sean Longstaff could ruin his career, before it ever really gets started.
The speculation surrounding the future of the 21-year-old midfielder persists, and reports over the weekend said Newcastle insist the player is not for sale, and have slapped a £50 million price-tag on him, in a bid to deter the Old Trafford club.
But the player should not even consider leaving St James’ Park, regardless of the current crisis at the club.
There is no doubt that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils are on a different level to Newcastle nowadays, but that does not mean a move to the North West would be a great thing.
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Having broken into the first team at St James’ Park last season, he has become an integral part of the side, and Newcastle should be trying to build their team around him.
Move to the North West may not help Longstaff’s development
If he were to go to a team like Manchester United, he would likely be given limited opportunities to start from the outset, and even when he does, if the season does not start well for them, the youngster would be one of the first players to be benched.
They would probably then strengthen in the January window, with the result being even less starting chances for the Newcastle lad.
If that scenario played out, he could drift into oblivion, and rue the day he left his boyhood club.
He would be much better off staying where he is, and continuing to progress under the guidance of whoever comes in as manager, while receiving the adulation that comes with being a homegrown player at St James’ Park.