Exclusive: Paul Robinson fears 'Very important' Newcastle player may have head turned over exit

Paul Robinson has urged Newcastle United to tie up a contract deal for hot prospect Matty Longstaff as he heads into the final months of his current deal.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Tottenham and England goalkeeper says the 19-year-old is a "very, very important" player for the Magpies.

With the youngster out of contract at the end of the season, manager Steve Bruce has admitted he wants the situation sorted out but that it is for others to deal with.

Robinson says that staying at St James' Park would be in Longstaff's best interests but worries a big club could have turned his head before the Magpies can tie him down.

"Newcastle have to offer him a contract because he's enjoyed his time there and he's just at the very start of his career," Robinson told Football Insider.

"Players like that are very, very important for a team like Newcastle to keep developing. In my personal opinion, I think he's better off developing at somewhere like Newcastle, playing his football at his hometown club, his brother's there as well.

"I can't see a reason why he wouldn't sign unless he's been so-called 'tapped up' by one of the big boys." 

Longstaff has played five times across all competitions for the Magpies since breaking through the youth ranks, with four of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

He has already netted twice for his boyhood club, both goals coming against Manchester United in the home and away fixtures this season.

In other Newcastle United news, a Football Insider pundit claims the Magpies have pulled off one of the transfer deals of the season.