Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after the Chronicle’s Mark Douglas shared his thoughts on Matty Longstaff’s future.
Douglas discussed Longstaff’s situation at St. James’ Park following the midfielder’s goalscoring display in Tuesday night’s FA Cup Third Round Replay win over Rochdale.
Longstaff struck our second of the match after Eoghan O’Connell’s own goal, when he met Matt Ritchie’s delivery in a pocket of space inside the Dale box before stroking the ball home past a helpless Robert Sanchez.
It was Longstaff’s third goal in senior football after his match-winning effort against Manchester United on debut, and his Boxing Day opener in the 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
But the 19-year-old still faces an uncertain future on Tyneside despite his heroics in the first-team, as the club and midfielder are yet to agree on a new contract that will keep Longstaff at St. James’ Park beyond the current season.
Douglas is adamant that Newcastle will need to make inroads into reaching an agreement with Longstaff, as the teenager will not be short of interest if he hits the market as a free agent this summer.
“Big fan of Matty Longstaff,” Douglas shared. “19, three goals to his name. Excellent on Saturday and again tonight.
“Newcastle are going to need to move on that contract. Won’t be a shortage of takers.”
Will Longstaff sign a new contract?
Yes
No
Recent reports have suggested that Italian powerhouse duo Inter and AC Milan are monitoring Longstaff’s situation in the North East, where head coach Steve Bruce is remaining relaxed over the midfielder’s future.
Clubs in Germany have also been credited with interest, while scouts of Ligue 1 and La Liga outfits watched Longstaff in action for England’s U20s earlier in the term.
Newcastle were thought to have reached an agreement with Longstaff over new terms in November, though no deal has yet been announced and the 19-year-old remains on his current £850-per-week contract.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Douglas’ post…
Cant see him leaving, however it would be the most Mike Ashley thing ever.
— Jamie Mitchell (@JBOYK5) January 15, 2020
Matty offers more than Sean.
Sean just seems to run around for 90min offering little at either end.— FootyFan (@Number9NUFC) January 15, 2020
Biggest contract they need to sort out now. Happy to blow big money on untested players from abroad but messing about on a local kid who everyone can see is gonna be a big player in the next few seasons.
— Paul Moose Harris (@Mooseprog) January 14, 2020
Why is it taking so long? Surely it’s such a straight forward deal
— Matt Milne (@21Milner) January 14, 2020
Has unbelievable composure and tenacity for a nineteen year old
— Callum Irving (@NUFCIrving1010) January 14, 2020
This is absolutely essential and as soon as possible!
— NUFC HQ (@NUFC_HQ) January 14, 2020
Why has it taken this long? You could see her had something about him in the summer, 6 months later and it’s still not resolved..
— Callum Vass (@CallumVass) January 15, 2020
I’m interested to see how he does with Shelvey as an example rather than his brother.
— Lee McCutcheon (@Lee923) January 14, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are keen to sign a €10m forward currently being courted by a European giant.