Newcastle United have set their asking price for Sean Longstaff after Southampton joined Everton in the race to sign the Magpies midfielder this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Longstaff is in the final year of his contract at St James’ Park, but seen his role reduce under Steve Bruce. The arrival of Joe Willock on loan from Arsenal in January significantly thwarted the Toon talent, too, with the 23-year-old starting just six of the next 17 games.
Longstaff may have hoped for a better season this term, but Newcastle have signed Willock permanently for £25m. And the Magpies have also now begun to consider selling Longstaff, as they would not be owed any compensation if he leaves as a free agent next summer.
Everton boss Rafa Benitez would be interested in signing Longstaff after debuting him while in charge at Newcastle. Yet the Spaniard could face competition from Southampton, as the St Mary’s hierarchy also admire his potential.
Although Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl would prefer his south coast side to sign a centre-back before the August 31 deadline. Bruce will also keep Longstaff in his plans until the North East outfit sign a replacement, potentially Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury.
Newcastle have held no talks with Longstaff or his representatives recently to discuss a new contract. Instead, the Toon have informed would-be suitors like Southampton and Everton that they would demand no less than £10m.
The price reflects the scale of Longstaff’s decline at Newcastle since Benitez left the club. Newcastle told Manchester United to pay £50m in 2019, per The Telegraph, following his breakthrough under the now Everton boss.
Benitez to revive Longstaff career with Everton move to sign Newcastle product?
Newcastle stunned Manchester United by asking for five-times his 2021 value, as the Red Devils considered Longstaff worth £18m-20m. Now, Everton or Southampton could benefit from the scale of his decline since Bruce succeeded Benitez on Tyneside in 2019.
Benitez would hope he can revive Longstaff’s stuttering career by raiding Newcastle after taking charge at Everton this summer. It was under the Spaniard that he attracted interest from Manchester United, after all, and earned his current £25,000-per-week contract.
Benitez even backed Longstaff for the England squad, via The Guardian, and would set the same Newcastle-era expectations at Everton. While the allure of reuniting with the coach who gave him his big break could also increase the Toffees’ hopes.
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