Newcastle United are set to secure the signature of Matty Longstaff to a new contract, as reported by both The Times‘ Martin Hardy and Sky Sports‘ Keith Downie.
Longstaff has been offered a significant improvement on his previous £800-a-week contract.
Matty Longstaff Set To Extend Stay on Tyneside
Exit Looked Likely
The 20-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park after his contract was allowed to expire.
He has been free to talk to foreign clubs since January.
It had looked likely that Longstaff was going to leave Newcastle, however, the Tyneside club had not given up and appear to have been rewarded for their efforts.
Udinese were the favourites to sign him, in a deal that would have seen Newcastle receive £400,000 in compensation.
Leeds United, who will play Premier League football for the first time since 2004, were also interested in acquiring Longstaff.
Brighton and Hove Albion had also made an approach.
Impact So Far
Matty is the younger brother of Sean Longstaff, who also plays in the Newcastle United first-team.
He made an instant impact for the club, scoring the winning goal against Manchester United on his Premier League debut.
Longstaff has scored three goals in his 15 appearances for the club so far. Two of the three goals came against Manchester United, though losing the other game 4-1.
He has featured just twice since February.
Future of Newcastle Midfield
Longstaff is also an international prospect now, having made his England U20 debut in November.
He will have one eye on making the England national team, and remaining in the Premier League will probably help that cause.
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce, who fought hard to keep Longstaff, sees him, and brother Sean, as the future of the club’s midfield.
Hendrick Arrival
The Times’ report adds that Newcastle are close to signing former Burnley and Derby County midfielder Jeff Hendrick. Hendrick, 28, is a free agent and is to sign a three-year contract with the club, having completed a medical yesterday.
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