Newcastle are set to be rocked by an official approach from Manchester United this week, as the Red Devils step up their efforts to snatch Sean Longstaff, according to Football Insider.
The North Shields-born star is now thought to be one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top targets this summer, as the Norwegian prepares to continue his mass rebuild at Old Trafford with further young, British talents following their acquisition of Dan James from Swansea City.
But while United offered the Swans an initial £15million for their Welsh winger, Football Insider have been told by a source within Old Trafford that they will open negotiations over Longstaff’s future with an £18m bid.
The top six side are supposedly prepared to sweeten the deal with performance-related bonuses, although it is not suggested how much that would add to the overall transfer fee – James’ move from the Liberty Stadium featured £3million in add-ons taking the transfer to £18m.
A similar spate of performance-related clauses would struggle to see United’s move for Longstaff meet their own alleged £25million valuation, which emerged last week, and would hardly be enough to tempt Newcastle chiefs into cashing in on our homegrown star.
Longstaff may have only made 13 senior appearances for the Magpies, but the 5 ft 9 star is already a fan favourite around his hometown, and the club will surely be desperate to do all they can to retain someone who has spoken about his desires to continue his career on Tyneside.
When United’s interest in Longstaff first emerged, not to forget, the board were reportedly planning another new contract for the 21-year-old, after deeming him one of the last players we would be looking to move on in the summer.