According to Sky Sports, Steve Bruce will meet with Sean Longstaff in the ‘coming days’ to tell him he is a ‘key part’ of his plans at Newcastle United next season.
Although no bid has arrived of yet, it’s been reported for months that the 21-year-old midfielder is one of Man Utd’s top targets this summer.
Sky Sports had initially insisted he was ‘not for sale’, but a £50m plus asking price was then reported. It’s since been said that he would be open to a move to Old Trafford, but is more than happy to stay if it did not materialise – and this has been emphasised today following Bruce’s appointment.
Here’s a snippet from Sky Sports’ latest piece, with Bruce desperate to keep Longstaff at the club this summer:
‘Steve Bruce is due to sit down with Sean Longstaff in the coming days and tell him he is a key part of his plans for next season, Sky Sports News understands, amid continued interest from Manchester United.
‘Bruce has joined up with his new squad in China at the Premier League Asia Trophy, and he is expected to tell the 21-year-old he does not want him to leave St James’ Park.
‘Sky Sports News has been told Longstaff is excited at the prospect of Bruce taking charge and is desperate to impress the new manager and become a Newcastle regular.
‘It is believed Longstaff would be keen to talk to Manchester United, if the two clubs can agree on a fee, but he is not pushing for a move.
‘Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is impressed by Longstaff’s potential, but Manchester United are not prepared to pay anywhere near the £50m asking price it would take for Newcastle to be interested in selling. United think his current worth is less than half that amount.‘
If all the above is true, the situation seems pretty simple – Man Utd aren’t willing to pay anything near our alleged £50m asking price, Bruce wants to keep him and Longstaff is happy to stay.
With that in mind, he should be a Newcastle United player come the close of play on August 8th.
Let’s hope things stay that way.
