The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has confirmed that Matty Longstaff will sign a new deal at St James’ Park ‘in the next few weeks’ – but reveals why contract talks with brother Sean have stalled.
The piece claims that Sean Longstaff has been told he must ‘do more to earn a second new deal in the space of 12 months’, with Edwards’ ‘exclusive’ also revealing how his representatives are pushing for him to become one of the club’s top earners.
Interest from Man Utd – who were no doubt prepared to offer him a big pay-rise over the summer – won’t have helped, but I think it’s fair to say he hasn’t hit the heights he did last season, meaning it’s fair he isn’t handed another set of improved terms just yet.
As for Matty, it’s brilliant to hear he will sign over the dotted line soon, with his current deal due to expire next summer as things stand.
Here’s a snippet from The Telegraph’s latest report on the futures of the Geordie duo:
Newcastle United’s young midfielder Matty Longstaff will sign a new contract in the next few weeks but older brother Sean has been told he needs to do more to earn a second new deal in the space of 12 months
The 19-year-old (Matty), who still lives with his parents, is desperate to stay at the club he has supported his whole life and will sign an extension in due course, something which will delight Bruce who was responsible for fast-tracking the teenager into the team after he impressed in training.
But the negotiations with his older brother are more complicated as Sean signed a new contract only last year that will keep him at St James’ Park until 2022.
Telegraph Sport understands that negotiations have stalled because the 22-year-old’s representatives are seeking to make him one of the club’s top earners, something Newcastle are reluctant to do at this stage.
It’s a slight concern that talks between the club and Sean have stalled, but I think this is a situation that will soon be resolved.
If he rediscovers the form he showed last season then I’m sure the club will have no issue handing him a hefty pay rise, but if he doesn’t then I can’t see Man Utd coming back in for him, meaning he’ll have to knuckle down and fight for his place in the side.
We can’t take advantage of the fact both are local lads living the dream for their boyhood club, but the likes of Sean must earn that new extension to make him one of our biggest earners – and this gives him that extra incentive.
