Sean Longstaff has said he is ‘flattered’ by interest from Manchester United, but is focusing on getting fit ahead of the new season with Newcastle.
Longstaff has emerged as a surprise target for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer, as quoted by Sky Sports, but the Reds are not said to be willing to pay the ridiculous £50m fee demanded for the youngster.
The 21-year-old impressed in just nine Premier League appearances last season, before being ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury in March.
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Speaking to the Chronicle while out in China for Newcastle’s pre-season tour, Longstaff said:
“For me, it is all a positive really. It gives you even more confidence. When I was in for a short amount of time people took notice of me. It is flattering but my job is at Newcastle.
“The new boss (Steve Bruce) is coming in and it’s a clean slate for everybody – including me.
“I just get my head down and work on the pitch. Like anybody knows you are no use to anybody if you aren’t fit.”
Longstaff fits Solskjaer’s recruitment mould of young, British talent following moves so far for Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Norwegian desperately needs at least one addition in midfield this summer following the departures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera.
Paul Pogba has also been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford but the Guardian report that it is looking increasingly likely that the Frenchman will stay.
Although Longstaff clearly has potential, the Reds should also be looking at a more established creative option during this transfer window. Solskjaer’s side struggled to create chances in a number of games last season and Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes would be perfect to link midfield to attack.
According to Correio da Manhã, Fernandes’ agent Miguel Pinho is currently in England looking to thrash out a deal for the 24-year-old.
