Leeds United still pushing for Sean Longstaff – Newcastle star not forcing exit

Leeds United are keen to add more Premier League experience to their squad ahead of their return to the top flight of English football, and their interest in signing Newcastle United star Sean Longstaff is driven by that need.

Sean Longstaff became a bit-part player at Newcastle last season, and there is an expectation that the midfielder will leave the Magpies in the ongoing transfer window. However, the move for the midfielder has been more protracted than Leeds would have anticipated.

Newcastle have already knocked back three offers from the Yorkshire giants, and Leeds are now weighing up tabling a fourth bid for the 27-year-old midfielder in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Leeds’ last offer was a package of £12m, but Newcastle are only expected to sell if they receive a deal worth £17m for Longstaff before the end of the transfer window.

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Sean Longstaff is not desperate to leave amid the Leeds United interest

Journalist Graeme Bailey expects Leeds to table a fourth bid for the midfielder in the ongoing summer transfer window, and is certain that Longstaff would be open to moving to Elland Road.

However, he insisted that the midfielder is not desperate to leave Newcastle at the moment and is unlikely to force an exit from the club.

But the journalist conceded that it is more than likely that Longstaff will not be a Newcastle player at the end of the ongoing transfer window.

“There is an expectation that Leeds United will come back in for him”, Bailey told Geordie Boot Boys.

“I think it is something that the player would be open to. It’s an intriguing situation for Newcastle, especially with the lack of homegrown players for the Champions League.

“Longstaff would like the move, but he is also not desperate to get out. If Eddie Howe said to him ‘you need to go’ then he would. From what I am told, Longstaff is not really banging on the door to let him go.

“From what I am hearing, it is more likely than not that he will leave Newcastle, be it to Leeds or another club.”

Leeds have other options on their table

The Whites like Longstaff and want to add his Premier League experience to a squad, which will be fighting for survival in the top flight next season.

However, Leeds are reluctant to overpay, and it is still not certain that they are willing to meet Newcastle’s asking price for the 27-year-old midfielder.

The Yorkshire giants have been keeping tabs on Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach, who is available for a similar price and is considered a better player than Longstaff.

However, the Newcastle star’s Premier League know-how is something Farke wants in his team ahead of his side returning to the top flight next season.