‘Amazing’ - Newcastle United star reacts to summer transfer move

Sean Longstaff believes new signing Sandro Tonali can follow the example of Bruno Guimaraes by giving Newcastle United a ‘massive lift’ ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Italy international officially completed a £52million move to St James Park last week after bringing an end to his three-year spell with Serie A giants AC Milan and arrived on Tyneside on Friday as he prepared to meet his new team-mates for the first time.

Much of the excitement surrounding the deal for Tonali has surrounded a potentially intriguing midfield partnership with new team-mate Guimaraes, who has become an integral figure for Eddie Howe’s side since joining the Magpies in a £40million move from French club Lyon in January 2022. The Brazil international had a transformative impact on the United midfielder in the aftermath of his arrival and he became a key feature as he helped the Magpies qualify for the Champions League last season.

Longstaff is looking forward to more ‘high quality additions’ as the United hierarchy press on with their ambition plans and he is relishing the challenge of the added competition in Howe’s midfield.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Longstaff told BBC Newcastle.

“You’re adding an Italian international, a top player – someone who got to a Champions League semi final last year. You bring him in to the team, it’s only going to add to and benefit the team. (I am) really looking forward to meeting him and getting going. There’s going to be a lot of high quality additions. That’s what you want as a player, you want to be playing with the best players possible.

“That showed when Bruno came in. He gave the squad a massive lift, in particular in the midfield. Hopefully Sandro can do the same. It’s only going to be good for the squad, the competition. As long as we keep pushing each other to be as best we can be as individuals it will help the team massively.”

Longstaff will be in the Magpies squad that will kick off their pre-season schedule against National League neighbours Gateshead on Saturday lunchtime.