Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff is trying to stay focused on his game and not get distracted amid rumours linking him with Manchester United.
In a recent interview, as reported by the Daily Mirror, Manchester United transfer target Sean Longstaff has admitted that he is not trying to get distracted by constant speculations surrounding his future at Newcastle United.
Longstaff is a product of the Newcastle United youth academy and broke into the senior team in December last year, after having had impressive loan spells away at Kilmarnock and Blackpool. The 21-year-old made a solid impression in his breakthrough campaign, but saw his season end prematurely owing to a knee injury he picked up in February.
Longstaff ended the 2018-19 season with just 13 appearances under his belt in which he managed to score twice and set up one more goal. In his brief spell with the first-team before injury, the Englishman made enough of an impression to attract serious interest from Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 20-time English champions are in the market for additions to their midfield department having seen Ander Herrera leave after the expiry of his contract. And Longstaff is one player whose name has been doing the rounds throughout the summer.
Speaking of the speculation, the Newcastle United midfielder said: “Obviously, I’m still young and getting used to all that side of it. There’s nothing you can do. It’s in the hands of other people now. Like I said before, I’m fully focused on being back fit for the start of the Premier League season.
“To have your name mentioned with those top clubs is obviously great, but, for me, it’s about working as hard as I can for Newcastle and getting back. I’m trying to focus on football. The stuff off the pitch isn’t what you play for, you can get too caught up in it.”
The 21-year-old has previously admitted to be flattered by the interest that he has received from Manchester United, but a move to Old Trafford for the youngster has been cast under serious doubt thanks to Newcastle’s unrealistic transfer fee demands. The Magpies have slapped a £50 million price tag on Longstaff which has left United, who were willing to offer £20 million, baffled.
With just a week left before the English transfer window closes, Longstaff’s mooted transfer to Manchester United looks to be on the back-burner as the Red Devils are prioritizing moves for Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Paulo Dybala. It remains to be seen if the midfielder secures a move away from Longstaff before the transfer deadline.
