The former Newcastle midfielder believes that it would be “disastrous” if the Magpies are unable to convince the midfielder to stay at St. James’ Park beyond the summer.
Clark has also suggested that the England Under-20 international could eventually end up at Watford should he move to Udinese in the summer transfer window.
Matty Longstaff’s situation
Longstaff is out of contract at Newcastle at the end of the month, and no new deal is in place.
According to The Daily Mail, Udinese have made the midfielder an offer of £30,000 per week plus a £2.5 million signing-on fee.
The report has claimed that the youngster has refused a verbal offer of £20,000 per week from the Magpies.
The Daily Mail has also reported that Newcastle fear that Longstaff will end up at Premier League rivals Watford due to the Hornets and Udinese being owned by the Pozzo family and the movement of players between the two clubs.
Warning
Clark told Tribal Football about Longstaff leaving Newcastle: “Disastrous. That’s what it will be for Newcastle if they let Matty Longstaff leave. He’s a local lad and a very, very talented player. He has shown outstanding promise in the few games he has played.
“And the club is based on a tradition where the local players are the heartbeat of the football club. The fans have took to him and his brother Sean and if they want to lose one of those for whatever reason it’ll be a disastrous move.
“I personally think he is going to end up at Watford, with the Pozzo family connection. It is a way of not paying Newcastle a big transfer/compensation fee from one Premier League club to another.
“Matty can take a few months out, possibly a year at Udinese and then he will end up at Watford. Let’s make no mistake that’s how you get through the legal loophole of the transfer windows.”
Leaving Newcastle United
With just weeks left on his current contract at Newcastle, it is hard to see Longstaff at the Magpies next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
