Sean Longstaff shares new update as Leeds United agree Newcastle deal
Sean Longstaff has released a new update on social media amid breaking news of Leeds agreeing a deal to sign him from Newcastle.
Newcastle academy graduate Longstaff has been a part of the club’s senior set-up since his breakthrough under Rafael Benitez back in 2018, as he made his Premier League debut against Liverpool in December of that year.
The box-to-box midfielder has often been a back-up player at St James’ Park since Eddie Howe took charge nearly four years ago, and at 27-years-old, he is believed to be open to a move away this summer to be a more regular starter elsewhere.
Sources previously told Football Insider that with Newcastle were keen to sell off several fringe players and boost their PSR position this summer, and newly-promoted Leeds were revealed to be tracking Longstaff by Football Insider in June.
The Northern Echo reported last week that talks between the two clubs had stalled after Newcastle rejected Leeds‘ third bid of £10million with a further £2m of potential add-ons, but the Whites now look to have found a breakthrough in negotiations.
Longstaff shares Newcastle training photo as Leeds close in
The Athletic reported on Tuesday (15 July) that Leeds have reached an agreement in principle to sign Longstaff, with personal terms already in place, but the figure that he is set to leave St James’ Park for is unclear right now.
Longstaff may well be on his way to Elland Road, but he posted a picture of himself in pre-season training in Austria with Newcastle to his Instagram story on Tuesday, before the report came out, and so it looks like he will soon be saying his goodbyes to his Magpies teammates before he flies back to England to complete the switch.
Newcastle are right to sell Longstaff to Leeds
Football Insider verdict
Longstaff is a local lad that has been living Geordies’ dreams, but there is little room for any emotion in football nowadays, especially in the club’s current position as they look to navigate the transfer market smartly to give themselves the best chance of success in the coming years.
The 27-year-old is undoubtedly a solid squad option for Howe to have at his disposal, but his struggle for minutes last term should mean that he wants to depart for increased game-time, while Newcastle should also feel that they can upgrade on him going forward.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 214 | 16 | 11 |
The Tyneside club have been linked with a move for Conor Gallagher, who would be an instant improvement on Longstaff and add much more European and international experience to their squad.
Leeds, meanwhile, are right to look to sign him, and they will surely be relieved that their disagreements with Newcastle over the fee for Longstaff has seemingly not meant that they have missed out on his signature.
If everything is confirmed, Longstaff will surely join Leeds to be a starter in the middle of the park under Daniel Farke, which likely makes Ilia Gruev’s future uncertain considering his current status as their third-choice defensive midfielder.