Leeds United in for a treat as Alan Shearer said Sean Longstaff has ‘traits’ of five-time Premier League winner

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Leeds United will surely soon announce the arrival of Sean Longstaff at Elland Road.

After weeks of trying to dispute a deal with Newcastle United, the 49ers have reached an agreement.

Whether that is an agreement they are happy with is another question, but Longstaff will be joining for £15m.

This is a significant bump up from what the Leeds owners wanted to pay for the midfielder after their £12m bid got rejected.

Nevertheless, Longstaff brings the promise of a solid Premier League player, and Alan Shearer once said he emulates a serial Premier League winner.

Alan Shearer on Leeds United target Sean Longstaff in 2019

It’s a big decision for Longstaff to leave the club he’s spent his entire career at, so it’s telling that he’s picked Leeds.

£15m might be a bit steep on what was expected, but there is no doubt that Daniel Farke is landing someone who will improve his squad, not only from a defensive aspect, but also getting involved in goals as well.

Longstaff is a rare type of midfielder who will give Farke a different option as opposed to Ao Tanaka and Illia Gruev.

Eddie Howe is clearly not too happy that the midfielder is going, as Howe wanted £20m for Longstaff, but that would have been one step too far for the 49ers.

But after what Shearer said in 2019 when the midfielder was rising into the Newcastle squad, Leeds might have actually landed a bargain.

Speaking to The Mirror during Longstaff’s first full season with the Toon Army, the former Newcastle striker compared him to one of the great midfielders of the Premier League.

­“Definitely, he has traits (of Michael Carrick). He has had a good start. Newcastle are a better team with him in it, because of his energy and legs he gives the team, and his ability to receive the ball,” Shearer said.

“His passing ability is fantastic. A proud ­moment for the boys and the family. Maybe Newcastle have been missing that energy and vibrancy.”

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What Carrick said about Longstaff comparison as Leeds can get excited

To have similarities is something that can excite Leeds with Longstaff.

The former Man United midfielder was known for his expert passing skills and breaking up play effectively, and it seems the 27-year-old will add that to Farke’s regime.

Carrick actually commented along with Shearer on the then 21-year-old, with the Newcastle-born legend suggesting Longstaff is a ‘fantastic talent’.

“Sean is a fantastic ­talent and doing well at the ­moment. He hasn’t played a awful lot of games yet, but the ­future is bright for him,” Carrick said.

“I don’t like ­comparing his playing style to mine. It is not fair on Sean. He is ­carving his own career out. He has his own traits and strengths. I ­always enjoy seeing young ­players getting a chance.”

Longstaff’s the type of player every team needs, and with a Carrick-like figure entering the dressing room, it could turn out to be a masterclass from the 49ers.