For the second summer in a row, Newcastle United could sell a homegrown Geordie midfielder to a Premier League rival for a healthy profit. But it will be a very different story if Sean Longstaff follows Elliot Anderson through the St James' Park exit door.
The 27-year-old has found himself down the pecking order at Newcastle as the formidable midfield of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton developed over the course of the season. With the trio commanding the starting places and Joe Willock and often Lewis Miley prefered as substitute options, Longstaff has seen his first-team minutes all but disappear.
The stats make for grim reading for Longstaff. So far in 2025, he has played just 27 minutes of Premier League football, which for someone of his experience, paints a fairly clear picture.
Eddie Howe said this week that his future was 'unclear'. I think it might be very clear indeed.
There are top-flight clubs interested in his services this summer, and it seems as though his time on Tyneside could soon be coming to and end. Manchester United and Everton are monitoring his situation closely, and with his contract due to expire in 2026, the timing feels right for a deal to be struck.
As a homegrown player, United would maximise their profit on any sale when it comes to the PSR balance sheets, handing the club valuable resources when it comes to the transfer budget.
It feels right for the player too. Longstaff has never been able to win over a minority of Newcastle fans, but he is too good to spend the prime years of his career sitting on the bench, even if it is at his hometown club. He has plenty to offer Premier League sides - after all it was just 18 months ago that he was scoring against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
However, the same can be said of Miguel Almiron, and if United are to challenge the upper echelons of the Premier League then they must invest - and that means being able to sell. Their options remain limited, but emotion won't be allowed to stand in the way of progress.
Miley will feature considerably more next season as his already considerable experience builds again. Newcastle have high hopes for the teenager, and with European football returning to St James' in one form or another in 2025-26, the 18-year-old will have a big role to play.
Longstaff has served Newcastle superbly over some difficult times, and played a big role in this renaissance. He deserves first-team football and if a deal that benefits all parties can be found, then it feels like a no-brainer.
