Rafa Benitez is eyeing up a summer reunion with former protégé Sean Longstaff, according to The Times.
The Spaniard handed Longstaff his debut for Newcastle against Liverpool back in December 2018, handing him his big break at Premier League.
The 23-year-old’s form under Benitez was impressive, with Man Utd linked with a move for the midfielder after just nine Premier League appearances.
Longstaff has just one year remaining on his current deal and talks have stalled on a new contract. Recent reports also suggest that a potential swap deal for Toffees’ midfielder Tom Davies could be on the cards, a player who was linked with NUFC last season.
Bruce is rumoured to be eyeing up a move for ANOTHER midfielder – possibly on loan – if and when Joe Willock arrives, which would make Longstaff’s position at the club almost untenable.
Himself and younger brother Matty’s days at the club do appear numbered, with both slipping further down the pecking order.
You can’t help but think that a move away would probably be for the benefit of their own careers, especially if Sean was reunited with Rafa – a manager who had him playing better than Bruce ever has over the past two years.
I see the Rafa rose tinted specs are out again. Rafa was forced to give him his debut because of injury. Rafa was about to send him out on loan – and young Sean would likely have went the way of Armstrong, Toney and Mbabu.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To be fair, he was clearly way better under Benitez than he was under Bruce. Not sure what Armstrong, Toney and Mbabu have to do with that…
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
To be fair he’s never been the same since that horrendous injury – hardly down to Bruce that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let him go he was woeful last season and at 23 I think he is about championship standard and won’t get a lot better
Wilson(Quote)
“Woeful last season”. Fixed midfield during our winning run. Blimey. Some absolute loops out there.
Wor Jock the Geordie(Quote)
If you want to be fair, Bruce gave him much more opportunities to prove himself than Rafa did.
BykerBill(Quote)
“…with Man Utd linked with a move for the midfielder …)
Aye – the same way we were linked with Tuchel, Lacazette, Poch and all the others that clueless commentators dream up. The same way brother Matty was linked with a move to Udinese that would have made him their highest paid player.
Let’s just say that being linked and actually being wanted are 2 different things.
BykerBill(Quote)