Newcastle United have already triggered deal for Everton target ahead of summer transfer decision
Sean Longstaff’s contract at Newcastle United was due to expire this summer until an extension was triggered.
Eddie Howe admits Sean Longstaff’s future at Newcastle United is unclear after falling down the pecking order.
Longstaff started 30 of the Magpies’ 38 Premier League games last season but is now without a league start since the beginning of December with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton emerging as the preferred midfield three.
The 27-year-old only starts since then have been against Bromley and Birmingham City in the FA Cup, while his appearances as a substitute have also become less frequent. It leaves the Geordie midfielder in an uncertain position.
Sean Longstaff facing uncertain future at Newcastle United
“His role is to be ready to play, ready to come on and I have trusted him in big games where he has come on and played his part in those wins,” said Howe. “We are going to need the whole squad in our league season. We have nine massive games to come and everybody has to be ready.
“His long-term future is slightly more unclear. But what I can say is that behind the scenes, Sean has been very good, helping the group, training to a high level and I can't speak highly enough of him as a person.”
Longstaff’s contract was due to expire this summer but Newcastle triggered an option to extend until June 2026.
Sean Longstaff has already addressed his Newcastle United future
Everton remain interested in signing the midfielder having first registered an interest in January. In a world of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), selling academy prospects carry greater monetary value as they generate “pure profit”.
Addressing his future last November, Longstaff said: “If it’s here it’s great. If it’s not, it’s not. I want to be valued as a player, I want to be appreciated as a player and whether it’s here great. If it’s not here and it’s somewhere else, it’ll be somewhere else.
“In a way I live day to day, game to game and I just try and take in every game. I get to go to work every day and spend it with my best friends, I don’t know what’s coming ahead, I don’t know what’s coming down the line, I just try to embrace every day and enjoy every minute because ultimately it won’t last forever.”