According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United fear midfielder Matty Longstaff will end up joining Premier League rivals Watford.
Longstaff is out of contract this summer. So far, the Magpies have been unable to convince him to sign a long-term deal to stay at St James’ Park.
Newcastle have allegedly offered him £15,000-a-week. Longstaff said no, prompting the Magpies to verbally offer £20,000-a-week – still shy of the £25,000-a-week he wants.
Udinese have now stepped in with a £30,000-a-week offer, and it looks like Longstaff could head off to Italy in a shock move – despite his preference being to stay with Newcastle.
There could be a twist in the plot though. Udinese are owned by Giampaolo Pozzo, who also owns Watford. The two clubs have moved players between themselves freely over the years, whether it’s loan or permanent deals.
Newcastle sources have allegedly been aware of Udinese’s interest for a while. However, they’re worried that Longstaff may end up heading to Watford in a sneaky move.
If Watford moved to sign the 20-year-old at the end of his contract, they would have been charged around £3million in compensation.
Given that Udinese are outside of the UK, the compensation would be just £450,000 for them. Pozzo can circumvent the compensation issue by signing him for Udinese and then housing him at Watford.
This would be hugely controversial, leaving Newcastle £2.5million out of pocket whilst moving players in a way that some deem unethical.
Leicester City have received criticism for doing similar with George Hirst. OH Leuven signed the striker from Sheffield Wednesday for bargain compensation, and he was then moved to sister club Leicester a year later, avoiding paying big money.
If Longstaff does end up at Watford, there will no doubt be loud criticism. Pozzo may not really care as long as it benefits Watford, and Newcastle will be praying they aren’t left red-faced.
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