As it stands, Sean Longstaff will leave Newcastle on a free next summer when his contract expires.
However, the club reportedly plan to change that.
According to the Mirror (5th September, pg78), Newcastle are keen to reopen contract negotiations with the academy graduate.
Longstaff has had a rough couple of years at St James’ Park since his incredible emergence.
He was linked with an exit this summer, with Rafa Benitez reportedly interested in taking him to Everton.
Fortunately for Newcastle, the £10million-rated midfielder remained in the North East.
Now they plan to tie him down to a new deal, but have they left it too late?
Why would Sean Longstaff want to sign a new Newcastle contract?
Earlier in the summer, it was reported that Longstaff was one of multiple players the club would consider selling.
Of course, that didn’t happen. But since then, Newcastle have had an appalling start to the season.
There was limited transfer activity, despite Steve Bruce’s best efforts to add another centre-midfielder on deadline day.
Newcastle have been looking to boost their midfield all summer, which hardly says much for Sean Longstaff.
So if you were the 23-year-old, why would you want to stay?
The report of negotiations reopening have only emerged since the window closed, with the Magpies desperate not to lose him for nothing in 2022.
Longstaff could still be a star at St James’ Park, but why would he want to be? The club is going nowhere.
Yes, there might be change at some point. But no one knows when.
If a new contract comes Longstaff’s way, you couldn’t blame him if he decided to turn it down.
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