Newcastle United young star Matty Longstaff is on the radar of Italian giants Inter and AC Milan, according to the Match of the Day magazine.
Longstaff is free to negotiate with clubs from abroad due to his current £850-per-week contract expiring in the summer, and there being no deal in place to extend the teenager’s career at St. James’ Park.
His development player status on Tyneside would see United recoup just £400,000 in the summer should Longstaff leave, representing a bargain fee for any club keen to add the midfielder to their squads.
Toon boss Steve Bruce is remaining relaxed over the contract situation of several players at the club, with Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo and Karl Darlow also due to become free agents on July 1.
“It doesn’t concern me because it is what it is,” Bruce said, via the Chronicle at the close of 2019. “Every player has that right now.
“The Bosman ruling has been there for a lot of years now. It’s their prerogative.
“If they’re not happy with their deal or whatever, then okay, we have to accept exactly what it is. That’s the situation we’re in.”
Clubs in Germany have also been credited with expressing an interest in the young midfielder, who was watched by scouts of French Ligue 1 and Spanish La Liga sides in November while representing England’s U20s.
Will Longstaff sign a new contract?
Yes
No
Newcastle have been in talks to extend Longstaff’s contract following his breakthrough into the senior fold under Bruce, though an agreement has not been reached despite reports in November stating otherwise.
It was alleged that United could announce a new deal for Longstaff before the turn of the decade, having been keen to reward the teenager for his efforts in the first-team which included a match-winning goal on debut against Manchester United.
Longstaff was said to be desperate to stay at St. James’ Park beyond the end of the current season, having supported the Toon throughout his life.
The Rotherham-born 19-year-old has started five Premier League games this season alongside outings in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and scored his second first-team goal when we travelled to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Should he sign a new contract before the close of the January window, it is expected that Longstaff will be sent out on loan for the remainder of the term.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are open to a 5 ft 9 player leaving St. James’ Park in January under certain conditions.