Leeds United have announced the signing of Gabriel Gudmundsson and a one-year deal for Sam Byram, while a move for Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff is getting closer and closer.
Indeed, LeedsUnited.News understands a deal to sign Longstaff will be done by the end of the week. It comes after David Ornstein reported Leeds had made a third bid worth £12m to sign the Newcastle ace.
That bid has been accepted by Newcastle with Longstaff in the final year of his contract. Described as “underrated” by Sandro Tonali, Longstaff has already agreed personal terms over a move to Elland Road.
A rotational option at Newcastle over the last couple of seasons, it is seen as a bit of a coup for a newly-promoted side to land Longstaff rather than a more-established mid-table side picking Longstaff up.
Newcastle expert says what Leeds can expect from Longstaff
Longstaff fits the bill. While he is not 26 like Leeds’ four other signings, he is 27 and boasts 171 Premier League games already. This is a player who has shown he can do it in England’s top tier, time after time.
LeedsUnited.News spoke to Geordie Boot Boys writer James Rutherford about Longstaff, and he explains why Longstaff is leaving Newcastle and the “incredible” thing Longstaff will bring to Leeds’ midfield.
“I think Eddie Howe will be reluctant to let Sean Longstaff go, but it is a departure that makes sense. He is entering the final 12 months of his contract, so it is the last real chance to get some decent money.
“Longstaff is a player who would go down as pure profit in terms of PSR. He has slipped down the pecking order at St James’ Park, and he could probably benefit from a fresh start,” Rutherford told LUN.
“Longstaff will bring incredible energy in the middle of the park. He covers so much ground, while he is also capable of chipping in with some key goals. His timing when arriving in the box is impressive.
“It resulted in him scoring some important goals. If you are expecting defence-splitting passes and Yaya Toure-esque runs then you have the wrong idea, but he’s the type of water-carrier every team needs.”
Is £12m good value and is Longstaff a good signing for Leeds?
As aforementioned, the fact Longstaff has been regularly used by Eddie Howe in a Newcastle side that has finished in the Champions League positions shows just how good Longstaff has been for The Toon.
So for a newly-promoted side to nab his signature over mid-table Premier League clubs is testament to the work Adam Underwood is putting in. Rutherford adds that Longstaff is an “excellent” signing.
“£12m is probably a fair fee. It helps Newcastle United in terms of PSR, while it is not an earth-shattering amount for Leeds to pay for a proven Premier League player. It’s a good price for a solid player,” he said.
“He should prove to be an excellent signing for Leeds United, as long as there are more creative players alongside him. I am really interested to see how well he does in a different side, he has been outstanding.
“Pivotal to our success. While Premier League experience is not going to be the difference between staying up and going down, Longstaff should prove to be valuable towards Leeds’ survival bid.”
Given Longstaff turns 28 in October, it will be interesting to see the length of contract given to the midfielder but the chances are, it will be a three or four-year deal. Plenty of work to do, for Underwood.
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