Paul Mitchell accepts £15m Newcastle United sale - two Premier League clubs interested
Newcastle United will reportedly listen to offers for academy graduate Sean Longstaff this month.
Outgoings have been the key focus in the January window, with Miguel Almiron edging towards an Atlanta United return. Italian media is also claiming Juventus are expressing interest in Lloyd Kelly, although that has not been confirmed from Newcastle’s end.
A sticky FFP/PSR situation - despite having the world’s wealthiest owners - has forced Toon chiefs to consider sales before bringing anyone in. All the noises suggest the Magpies may decide to keep their powder dry until the summer given their healthy league position.
That could prove a risk given Newcastle are a couple of first-team injuries away from derailing a Champions League push and their Carabao Cup hopes. While losing Almiron and Kelly trims the squad, losing another player would leave Eddie Howe down to the barebones.
The Athletic report that Longstaff is the next player on sporting director Paul Mitchell’s hit list to free up financial wiggle room. As an academy graduate, the 27-year-old’s sale would generate pure profit on the balance sheet.
Leeds United and Leicester City have expressed interest but any move likely depends on their Premier League status. As it stands, the Foxes are two points adrift from safety while Leeds are second in the Championship.
Losing Longstaff would prove unpopular with Howe, who told reporters last week that monetary decisions are overruling footballing calls given the FFP/PSR climate. The Toon boss also spoke highly of the North Shields native at the back end of last year.
"You just have to look at his qualities,” Howe told reporters. “He is highly intelligent and understands the team’s objectives in and out of possession. Technically, he is a very good player, and he has high energy.
“If you look at his running data week to week, it is usually one of the highest in the Premier League. He brings a lot of energy to the team and that is what we would miss if he is not playing.
“Sean has been very, very good since I have been here as manager. He’s brilliant to work with from my perspective and I think his general performances have improved.”