Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has interest from Premier League new boys Leeds United.
Leeds United have been eyeing Sean Longstaff for some time now. Longstaff was first linked to Leeds back in March 2024 and Leeds could take Longstaff due to his availability as the persistent links aren’t going away this summer.
The 49ers are looking at Premier League targets, which is why Longstaff’s availability is of interest. Sandro Tonali believes Longstaff is underrated and that is partly why Leeds want him as competition in their engine room.
Not only that, but Eddie Howe has opened the door for Longstaff to leave Newcastle this summer after finishing fifth, winning the EFL Cup, and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League again.
The Leeds United link to Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff explained
Last season, Newcastle triggered a one-year extension in Longstaff’s contract to ensure the 27-year-old is secure until June 2026. Beren Cross of The Athletic has reported the latest that Leeds see Longstaff as an attainable midfielder this summer.
He states that there is no suggestion a bid has been made at this stage, but he is on the shortlist the club are working through in this window. In the same report, he states there is less confidence of Leeds signing RC Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra.
The Strasbourg midfielder has been linked with a £22 million switch to Leeds. Instead, they could turn to Longstaff who has 171 Premier League appearances over the past seven seasons. It’s previously been stated that Leeds want to do a £10 million deal for Longstaff.
Cross states that Longstaff’s “top-flight experience appeals to newly-promoted Leeds”. However, Leeds United News have learnt more about the rationale behind a potential deal for the midfielder.
With some feeling somewhat underwhelmed and not enamoured with the deal after the more exciting links to Diarra, we have had further details revealed, including his intensity off the ball among other attributes of value.
Longstaff was once linked with a move to Man United, which perhaps explains why so many coaches in the game hold him in such high regard. One source detailed the out of possession aspect alongside his sheer size, frame, and physicality.
That is imperative to add to a Leeds team lacking in height, plus his versatility in numerous different types of midfield roles is valued as well. One other critical aspect is that Longstaff is happy to crash the box and break beyond the last line.
That ability to arrive in the box to score is something Leeds will need from their deeper midfielders. Leeds are also losing Joe Rothwell’s set-piece ability this summer and Longstaff has been capable in that regard for both Newcastle and Blackpool previously.
However, above all else is that the club “know he can compete in the league to a reliable level”. With it being stated that he is the type of signing they never made in their last Premier League stint after numerous signings were not domestic-based.
Newcastle’s midfield options underline Sean Longstaff’s competition
It’s previously been said that Daniel Farke wants Premier League ready players this summer, with more of a focus on those types after the strategy from 2020-2023’s Premier League stint ending in relegation after just three seasons of top flight football.
Leeds want to make this stick and having characters with Longstaff’s longevity at the top level is of vital importance. He is obviously renowned for his engine and work-rate but he cannot break into Newcastle’s midfield consistently.
Howe and the Saudi ownership group PIF (Public Investment Fund) have improved the squad to the point where Howe’s first-choice midfield trio consists of Brazilian international pair Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, as well as former AC Milan ace Sandro Tonali.
That doesn’t include the likes of Joe Willock, either. Newcastle can afford to sell in that sense, and Leeds could be the benefactors, even if he isn’t the flashiest player or the sexiest transfer link of the summer window.
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