90min

Newcastle Keen to Keep Out of Contract Matty Longstaff at St James' Park

By Grey Whitebloom

Matty Longstaff has scored two Premier League goals in his debut of top flight football
Matty Longstaff has scored two Premier League goals in his debut of top flight football / Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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Newcastle United remain keen to hold on to youth team graduate Matty Longstaff despite interest from clubs both in England and across Europe.

Longstaff marked his top flight debut in October by scoring the only goal in 1-0 win over Manchester United. The 20-year-old has made 15 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions this season but - following a breakdown in contract negotiations - is a now free agent.

Matty Longstaff (R) has played alongside his older brother Sean (L) in Newcastle's midfield this season
Matty Longstaff (R) has played alongside his older brother Sean (L) in Newcastle's midfield this season / Stu Forster/Getty Images

After signing a short-term extension in June to cover the remainder of the 2019/20 season, Longstaff's contract expired on 31 July. Talks between the club and player reached an 'impasse' during the three-month hiatus enforced by the coronavirus outbreak, as the energetic midfielder was left unimpressed by Newcastle's offers.

However, Steve Bruce's side still want to keep Longstaff according to the Chronicle Live. Yet, if the Magpies are unsuccessful in their attempts to entice Longstaff to stay, they won't be left empty handed. Any clubs looking to secure the midfielder's services will be required to pay Newcastle compensation.

Fellow Premier League sides West Ham and Everton are thought to be interested in the England Under-20 international. While the Bundesliga club Schalke and Serie A outfit Udinese also retain an interest in the younger of Newcastle's Longstaff brothers.

Jonjoe Kenny (L) and Rabbi Matondo (R) are two British youngsters Schalke have afforded first-team opportunities to this season
Jonjoe Kenny (L) and Rabbi Matondo (R) are two British youngsters Schalke have afforded first-team opportunities to this season / SASCHA SCHUERMANN/Getty Images

Schalke have recent experience of giving game time to British youngsters. The Royal Blues snapped up Manchester City academy product Rabbi Matondo for £8.1m in January 2019 and loaned Everton's English right-back Jonjoe Kenny for the 2019/20 season, with both receiving minutes in the first team.

Udinese's interest in Longstaff has been reported since the start of June, when the Newcastle youngster flew to Italy for contract negotiations. It is thought that Longstaff was offered a £30,000-per-week salary - more than double what Newcastle presented - in a deal lasting five years.