Newcastle United youngster Sean Longstaff has claimed he is flattered by reports linking him with Premier League giants Manchester United.
In an interview with the Daily Chronicle, as quoted by the Daily Mail, Newcastle United starlet Sean Longstaff has admitted that he is flattered by rumours linking him with a big money move to 20-time English champions Manchester United in the ongoing transfer window.
Longstaff is a graduate of the Newcastle United academy. Having had loan spells away at Kilmarnock and Blackpool, the English midfielder broke into the Magpies’ first-team this past December. In what was his breakthrough campaign, the 21-year-old managed to capture the attention with a series of impressive displays, before an injury cut his season short.
Longstaff ended the campaign with only 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and setting up one more. While his season might have terminated prematurely the England Under-21 international has managed to pique the interest of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United.
Manchester United are eyeing additions to their midfield department after having seen Ander Herrera leave this summer, following the expiry of his contract with the club. A number of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but Longstaff has been mentioned constantly all through the summer.
And now, Longstaff has revealed in an interview with the Chronicle that the reports linking him with the Red Devils are flattering and have boosted his confidence immensely. He said, “If somebody had said to be me a year ago I would be in this position, I would probably have laughed at them.”
“This time last year, I was deciding whether to go to League One on loan. A year on, you are seeing your name linked with one of the biggest clubs in the world. For me, it is all a positive really. It gives you even more confidence. When I was in for a short amount of time, people took notice of me.”
“It is flattering, but my job is at Newcastle. The new boss is coming in and it’s a clean slate for everybody – including me. I just get my head down and work on the pitch. Like anybody knows, you are no use to anybody if you aren’t fit.”
While Manchester United are keen on landing Longstaff this summer, they have been left baffled by Newcastle United’s demand of £50 million for the midfielder’s services. The report from Mail adds that the 20-time English champions are not willing to go above £25 million, which has led to an impasse in the transfer negotiations.
Longstaff, in a short period at the top level, has shown immense potential and promise. But, it remains to be seen if he ends up joining Manchester United this summer or whether he stays put at Newcastle.
