United preparing Longstaff bid

Manchester United are preparing a bid for Sean Longstaff of Newcastle United, according to Sky Sports.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with the 20-time English champions in recent times, with United clearly targeting young British players as part of their long-term plans. They’ve signed winger Daniel James from Swansea and fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, and Longstaff appears to be next on the agenda.

However, Newcastle apparently insist that the 21-year-old is not for sale, and Sky Sports believe he won’t be cheaper than £50 million. United have already shown that spending money on the players they want isn’t a problem, and they’re now about to test the Magpies’ resolve with an opening bid.

Longstaff signed a new contract with Newcastle in December last year and under its terms he should be staying at St. James Park until the summer of 2022, so the Tyneside club are in no hurry to sell. They are, however, in a hurry to find a new manager with Rafa Benitez gone to China, where he will be managing Dalian Yifang.