According to an ‘exclusive’ from TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough are plotting summer moves for Newcastle United duo Jamal Lewis and Sean Longstaff.
Lewis was left out of Howe’s 25-man squad in January and looks to be one of several fringe men who could leave at the end of the season, with a loan move away deemed more likely at this stage.
The Northern Ireland international sealed a £15m move from Norwich in September 2020, but the promise he showed at Carrow Road hasn’t been replicated at St James’ Park, leaving him way down the pecking order and in need of game time.
Longstaff is out of contract in the summer and in talks over a new deal, but the report states that both Boro and West Brom – currently managed by Steve Bruce – are eager to pounce on the 24-year-old if he ends up leaving on a free transfer.
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder is keen on the Englishman, but it’s said a move may only transpire if the Teesside club manage to achieve promotion back to the Premier League this year.
A loan move to the Championship is probably what Lewis needs, however I don’t think Longstaff would settle for a season in the second tier – being a player who would expect to receive some Premier League interest if he was available for nothing in a few months time.
