Newcastle United’s Premier League 2 starlet Rosaire Longelo is keen on a move to fourth-tier Crawley Town, Red Devils boss John Yems tells the Crawley Observer.
Longelo is at something of a career crossroads.
Having turned 22 in October, the versatile left-back is rapidly approaching the time where he must look to leave academy football behind.
He’s never actually played a senior game in his career either, despite representing a host of clubs – including West Ham, Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Newcastle – at youth level.
Longelo’s contract expires next summer.
And, according to The Chronicle, it looks highly unlikely that Newcastle will hand him a new deal.
Longelo is not being considered for a first-team role at St James’ Park and, even if he was, a relegation battle is hardly the ideal environment for a young player hoping to make the step up to the professional game.
Is Rosaire Longelo leaving Newcastle United?
The Chronicle added that Crawley Town were one of a number of EFL clubs with Longelo on their January wishlist – a fact confirmed by Yems on Thursday.
“We are interested in him, and he is interested in us,” the Crawley boss says.
“At the moment, two or three clubs are interested but I am not going to get caught playing off against other people.
“I am always looking for good players to improve this squad, so anyone who becomes available who we fancy we will be interested.”
It’s telling that, despite Newcastle’s alarming lack of depth at left-back, Longelo has been overlooked by both Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe.
It is understood that Longelo, who joined the club two-and-a-half years ago on a free transfer from West Ham, is not viewed as someone ready for the rigours of senior football.
The same cannot be said for Elliot Anderson, Jack Young, Matty Bondswell and Dylan Stephenson, however.
The academy quartet have all featured in first-team training since Howe’s appointment six weeks ago.
Anderson is often considered to be the cream of the Newcastle crop but Stephenson (below), a prolific centre-forward, has 11 goals in 16 U23 games this term.
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