Elliot Anderson repeat as Newcastle United star with 22 appearances could be sold due to PSR

Add as preferred source on Google

Matt Targett has struggled for game time for Newcastle United this season.

The 29-year-old has made just two appearances in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side this season, including one in the Premier League.

Targett did play a large chunk of Newcastle’s FA Cup victory against Bromley earlier in January and impressed by bagging an assist.

Geordie Boot Boys recently reported that Newcastle will allow Targett to leave on loan in January as they try and find the best solution for him.

The left-back has been a key part of Newcastle’s first-team squad for most of his time at the club. However, he picked up a hamstring problem in November 2023 which kept him out for months.

In the meantime, Newcastle relied upon Dan Burn and Lewis Hall. The latter has shone in that position in recent months and has made it look like Targett has no chance of getting his place in the starting XI back.

While Targett is subject to a departure, there is another Newcastle star who looks more likely to leave the club to help with their ongoing PSR problems.

Sean Longstaff likely to leave Newcastle

Sean Longstaff has fallen out of Newcastle United’s first-team picture in recent weeks.

The Geordie midfielder has made 22 appearances this season, but since Boxing Day, Longstaff has only played four minutes of Premier League football, coming on as a late substitute in Newcastle’s win against Tottenham on January 4.

Longstaff did play all 90 minutes in Newcastle’s FA Cup game in January, however. But it has not been enough to convince Toon boss Eddie Howe that he should stay for the long term.

According to The Athletic, Longstaff is the most likely player to leave Newcastle due to him being an academy graduate. Any money Newcastle would receive from the sale would be considered pure profit.

Newcastle sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for a similar reason. That deal bagged them around £35m.

The report states that there is interest in the Premier League and Championship for Longstaff, but the expectation is that he will stay at the club until the end of the season.

Everton are reportedly interested in Longstaff who is desperate to play more first-team football. He has had a stroke of misfortune that Newcastle’s preferred midfield trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes have been playing so well. It is surely very hard for Howe to consider dropping any of them.

Longstaff has fallen down Newcastle’s pecking order

Even after Newcastle’s starting midfield are playing well, Longstaff is now not in contention to be the first choice off the bench.

In recent weeks, Joe Willock has been the favoured midfield option to come off the bench. Willock has had some injury worries this season but has still impressed in his 19 appearances for the Magpies this season.

Young midfielder Lewis Miley has also enjoyed a nice runout for Newcastle in recent weeks. The 18-year-old scored a stunning goal against Bromley – showing what he can be capable of if given the opportunity.

Longstaff’s contract runs out at the end of next season. The summer transfer window looks set to be an incredibly important one for his Newcastle future.