The Manchester Evening News is reporting that Manchester United are going to move on from Sean Longstaff and look at bringing Declan Rice to the club instead.
The Red Devils supposedly pursued Newcastle’s central midfield player until they were told that the Toon wanted £50m for their new star.
Manchester United were only prepared to offer £25m, and Longstaff has remained on Tyneside to become a key part of Steve Bruce’s side.
The North Shields-born man burst onto the scene last year and looked like the next Michael Carrick to some, but an injury suffered against West Ham cut his season short.
He has now returned to full fitness, but so far, I don’t think he has looked quite the same player that we saw last year.
Now I hope that this is because he is just adjusting to Bruce’s new tactics and also still gaining match fitness and that he was not just a flash in the pan.
In a turbulent summer keeping Longstaff was crucial for the Toon, and if he can find his rhythm, he could become one of Newcastle’s better players.
Certainly, he is starting to speak with more maturity and must believe that his role within the dressing room is growing – so the next thing he needs to do is get back to where he was last year and if he can, then the Magpies could have a serious player on their hands.