Steve Bruce is urging Matty Longstaff to commit his future to Newcastle United amid reported interest from Leeds, West Ham and Southampton, according to the Chronicle.
The Magpies will take to the turf next week as they begin their pre-season preparations.
But whether a 20-year-old academy graduate will be present among Bruce’s squad remains to be seen.
Longstaff is a free agent and, try as they might, Newcastle have failed to convince one of the most exciting homegrown talents of the last 15 years to put pen to paper after an impressive breakthrough season at St James’ Park.
Newly-promoted Leeds have already snapped up three coveted youngsters in the shape of Cody Drameh, Charlie Allen and Joe Gelhardt and, according to the Telegraph, Longstaff could be added to a budding British base at Elland Road.
The Star, meanwhile, reported a fortnight ago that the England U20 international also has admirers at West Ham and Southampton.
But Newcastle are not just going to roll over and give up the ghost. Not yet, anyway.
Bruce has apparently spent the summer months pleading with Longstaff to stick around and, according to the Chronicle, another round of talks are being prepared.
Four months ago, Newcastle fans were dreaming of Philippe Coutinho, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ciro Immobile bringing the glory days back to St James’ Park, with a Saudi billionaire bankrolling a return to the elite.
Now, they are desperately hoping that a boyhood fan does not turn his back on those black and white stripes, while counting down the days until Jeff Hendrick arrives on a free transfer.
How times have changed.
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