Sean Longstaff sends goodbye message as Newcastle player exit confirmed
Newcastle United are reshaping their squad ahead of the new season with several senior figures bound for the exit door.
With a Champions League campaign on the horizon after last season’s fifth-placed Premier League finish and victory in the EFL Cup, Newcastle will spend big on new additions in this summer’s transfer window.
Eddie Howe may have missed out on Joao Pedro after Newcastle’s plan to spend £175million on James Trafford, Anthony Elanga and the now-Chelsea forward, but that won’t deter their efforts to spend.
Newcastle’s transfers won’t all be one way though and after Paul Robinson told Football Insider in April that Howe would sell off their fringe players in order to raise funds, those departures have already begun.
Callum Wilson departure confirmed at Newcastle
Longstaff is one of the players marked for the exit door this summer after he started just 12 matches in all competitions last season, and the midfielder has attracted attention from other Premier League clubs.
Callum Wilson was also in a similar position to Longstaff ahead of the transfer window, but he is now free to find a new club himself after his departure from Newcastle was finally confirmed on Monday (7 July).
Wilson leaves St. James’ Park at the end of his contract after five seasons, 130 appearances and 49 goals in all competitions for the Magpies, and Longstaff paid tribute to the 33-year-old on social media.
Longstaff posted on his Instagram story (7 July) with a message which said: “Proper number nine and a top person! You’ll be missed mate!”
Longstaff set to follow Wilson at Newcastle exit door
Football Insider Verdict
Wilson’s departure makes him the most high-profile player to leave Newcastle so far, but he’s unlikely to be the last household name to leave as Leeds and Everton lead the way to sign Longstaff this summer.
Newcastle have a number of positions still to strengthen and Wilson’s exit leaves a hole to fill behind Alexander Isak in Howe’s striking ranks, but midfield is an area very well stocked ahead of Longstaff.
Unlikely to displace Joelinton, Sandro Tonali or captain Bruno Guimaraes any time soon, it comes as no surprise that Newcastle are willing to accept bids in the region of £10–12million for Longstaff to move on from his hometown club.