Any fear of Sean Longstaff leaving Newcastle for Manchester United could be put to bed in the coming days, as Sky Sports expect Steve Bruce to make the North Shields-born talent a key part of his plans.
Longstaff has long been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford, after catching the eye of Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his debut in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez.
The 5 ft 9 midfielder made 13 outings for the Magpies across all competitions last season, before a knee ligament injury would cut his campaign short. But his efforts during his nine top-flight outings presented enough to executives in Manchester for them to consider a £25million bid.
Although Newcastle’s board are reluctant to part ways with the 21-year-old so soon after his graduation from the academy, and reportedly slapped a £50million asking price on the Toon product, which caught Manchester United Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward by surprise.
The astronomical fee quoted is believed to have ended the Red Devils’ interest in Longstaff, who had been open to discussing a move to Old Trafford if the two clubs could come to an agreement over his valuation.
Sky Sports now believe Longstaff is excited about Bruce’s arrival at St James’ Park, and hopes the change in manager can see his role at the club flourish to become a regular name in the starting XI.
Bruce is expected to sit down with the midfielder in the coming days to discuss what role he can play in the former Sheffield Wednesday boss’ plans, where he is expected to insist the local talent stays on Tyneside this summer.
The 58-year-old sees Longstaff as a key part of the first-team squad, as he begins to put together a blueprint of how we will line-up come August and the commencement of a new Premier League term.