West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest look set to miss out on Matty Longstaff, with Steve Bruce claiming that the Newcastle United youngster is set for Aberdeen while speaking to the Press and Journal.
It has been a difficult couple of days at The Hawthorns.
West Bromwich Albion exited the EFL Cup after a humiliating 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal – a result which saw Valerien Ismael come under fire for his very questionable team selection – while the Championship giants appear to have missed out on a whole host of transfer targets too.
Yes, they have started the season in largely excellent fashion but doubts remain about the strength and durability of Ismael’s squad.
Mateo Cassierra is on his way to Russia, Mbala Nzola is staying in Italy and Daryl Dike could snub a reunion with his former Barnsley boss in favour of Leeds United.
It is fair to say Jordan Hugill – scorer of just three goals in 31 games at Norwich City last season – was not the marquee striker signing Baggies fans were holding out for.
And with the highly-rated Longstaff moving north of the border, West Brom appear to have missed out on a talented young midfielder too, one who’s boundless energy and eye for a pass could have suited Ismael’s all-action style down to the ground.
Is Matty Longstaff heading to Aberdeen?
“We’ve said it’s important for him to go and play football so it’s a great opportunity for him to do that,” said Newcastle boss Bruce.
“Aberdeen have put their offer on the table and it looks like he’s going to accept it.”
According to the Northern Echo, struggling Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United also made offers for Longstaff, while Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town expressed an interest too.
Carlos Corberan’s Terriers might have seen the 22-year-old as a ready-made replacement for Leeds-linked Lewis O’Brien.
But, while one door closes for Chris Hughton’s bottom-of-the-table Forest side, a window of opportunity does appear to have swung open.
Play-maker Abdou Harroui was left out of Sparta Rotterdam’s squad last time out, as a £2.5 million move to the City Ground edges ever closer.
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