Sean Longstaff ‘yet to make final call’ as Leeds United bid accepted for transfer
Leeds United’s bid for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff has been accepted.
The Whites’ summer transfer business so far has bolstered their squad, with cheap acquisitions for the likes of Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmecha at Elland Road.
Longstaff would also seemingly fit into this category, with the midfielder providing useful squad depth for Daniel Farke alongside Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev.
Despite having a wealth of Premier League experience, Longstaff would not be guaranteed to start in West Yorkshire and would have to fight for his place.
Longstaff assessing his options ahead of move to Leeds
Gabriel Gudmundsson was United’s fourth arrival so far in the window, and Longstaff could soon follow the Swedish left-back.
The Chronicle has reported in its print edition (9 July, pg 42) that the midfielder is currently mulling over the move and debating whether to leave his boyhood club.
The 27-year-old made his debut for Newcastle back in 2018, but the Magpies will not stand in his way if he chooses to accept the £12million move to West Yorkshire.
Following Newcastle’s £55m signing of Anthony Elanga, selling an academy graduate like Longstaff for pure profit would be appealing to help their PSR position.
If Longstaff were to leave, it would be with a heavy heart; however, the opportunity for more regular first-team football at Elland Road could be too attractive a proposition to turn down.
Longstaff would provide Farke with tactical versatility
For the bulk of Farke’s games in charge at Leeds, the German has opted to play a 4-2-3-1 system.
The signing of Longstaff would present United with the opportunity to switch to a midfield three consisting of the Geordie, Ampadu, and Tanaka, should Farke choose to do so.
Playing with a more defensive system like this, as opposed to playing a number ten such as Brenden Aaronson, would seem to make sense given the games Leeds will likely find themselves in during their Premier League campaign.
It is all about smart business after promotion, and Longstaff ticks that box with ease.
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