Longstaff joined his boyhood club aged nine and after progressing through the academy has made over 200 senior appearances and scored 16 goals, with arguably his most memorable strike coming in the 4-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain in October 2023.
Up until the second half of last season, Longstaff had been a regular under head coach Eddie Howe. However, with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton establishing themselves as the first-choice midfield three and Joe Willock and Lewis Miley more commonly used from the bench, Longstaff is facing an uncertain future.
Longstaff’s last Premier League start came in December when the Magpies lost 4-2 away to Brentford.
Everton’s interest in the 27-year-old, which dates back to 2021 when Rafa Benitez was in charge at Goodison Park, has resurfaced this week following an article from the iPaper. Leeds United are also said to be keen on the Geordie midfielder.
And Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has already given the green light for both clubs to make a move after admitting neither he nor the club will stand in the player should he decide to depart.
“I think we’d work with Sean on that, I think he’s got our utmost respect,” Howe told reporters in May. “He’s been a brilliant servant to the football club.
“What I meant by that [he’ll dictate his future] was he has a contract with the football club. So, in some senses, he can dictate what happens with his future. Let’s wait and see on that. He’s still a very valued member of the squad. He’s got a big part to play.”
Newcastle United have triggered Sean Longstaff extension
Longstaff’s contract was set to expire on June 30 but the club triggered an extension to keep him contracted until 2026.
The decision is viewed as a strategic move to protect an asset and prevent him from walking away for free. In a world of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), selling academy prospects carries greater monetary value as they generate “pure profit”.
