A selection of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Chronicle that Matty Longstaff is set to be scouted at England’s Under 20s game against Portugal.
Longstaff has been included in Keith Downing’s Young Lions squad for the first time, and could make his debut against Portugal on Thursday night in their penultimate fixture of the year ahead of facing Iceland next Tuesday.
Downing awarded Longstaff a place in his plans as a reward for the midfielder’s impressive form in Steve Bruce’s side, having made his Premier League bow against Manchester United with a game-winning display last month.
His efforts against the Red Devils, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers before falling to the bench have seemingly proven attractive across Europe, too, as clubs from Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1 are said to be sending scouts to watch England against Portugal to cast judgment on the 19-year-old.
Liga NOS giants FC Porto and SL Benfica are likewise set to be represented in the northern Portuguese town of Agueda on Thursday night to observe the Magpies product.
Overseas clubs would be able to agree pre-contract arrangements with Longstaff from January, as the 5 ft 7 midfielder’s Toon contract lapses next summer, at which point he would be available for a nominal compensation fee of £400,000.
Who is more important to Bruce?
Matty Longstaff
Sean Longstaff
Newcastle are in talks to extend Longstaff’s spell at the club beyond the end of the season, but are not thought to have reached an agreement despite reports of a contract announcement not being far off.
Here are some of the reactions shared to news that overseas clubs are to scout Longstaff…
I’d love to keep him but hes had 1 good game!
— Richard Winn (@RichardWinn85) November 13, 2019
here we go again
— Derek (@DekaT42) November 13, 2019
Earning potential far higher staying in the PL. would be mad to leave when he’s getting game time to join a Spanish or Portuguese team’s under 21s.
— Tommy (@tomcowey) November 13, 2019
Is it not because he’s on a development contract? Also talks ongoing for new contract which does not happen over night,
— Yenanowt (@yenanowt) November 13, 2019
How many times over the years have we seen this good young talent aloud to leave ! Sign him he’s got great potential has all the natural ingredients and a great attitude and he’s Geordie ????
— Tony Cornfoot (@Tonyc1234) November 13, 2019
Do it, run your contract down, Ashley has turned 10s of thousands of Geordie kids to disillusioned fans, the only way for him to get the message is when he can’t even make money outta the youth coming through cos we all hate him
— Samuel Brown (@sammyb9999ipad1) November 13, 2019