Newcastle United are planning to make major changes to their team this summer, and their decision could potentially work in Everton’s favor.
Eddie Howe’s team has performed this season, managed to win the Carabao Cup, ending a nearly 70-year trophy drought.
Now they are fighting to compete in the Champions League next season, and their latest defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League is undermining their hopes of doing that.
Midfielder Sean Longstaff could be one of the players to be xed as Howe decided to move players that aren’t plans for the club this summer.
Newcastle United star heading for Everton?
According to Football Insider, Everton is approaching this summer to complete Longstaff signing from Newcastle United.
As the midfielder enters the final 12 months of his contract at St. James Park this summer, Magpies sees this as an opportunity to cash him out.
Merseyside Club is preparing for a major summer overhaul as it prepares for a historic move for the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium next season.
David Moyes will be supported with a large amount of money to rebuild the team.
One of the key areas that Moyes aims to strengthen is midfield, especially given the favorable moves towards Saudi Arabia and the potential deviations in established names such as Abdoulaye Doucure, which have been linked recently.
Journalist Peter O’Rourke told a football insider.
“They’ll be able to afford a deal for him, and there’s no doubt about that. I don’t think it would cost too much to get (longstaff) from Newcastle.
“I don’t think Newcastle can order a large fee for him as he enters the final year of his contract at St. James Park. He’s probably looking for £10 million to £1.2 million.
“He was Everton’s long-term target in the previous transfer window. If he’s looking at the long-term outlook, he probably won’t be going to get regular first team football at Newcastle next season.”
Sean Longstaff has no future in St. James Park
Longstaff, who has left the Newcastle academy and became a regular on his first team, has seen his role fluctuate over recent seasons.
Despite his solid performance, competition for the midfield location in Newcastle is escalating along with players like Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimares.
Known for his work rate, tactical discipline and ability to control the tempo of the match, Longstaff can fill in the blanks left by Doucure if Marian International departs.
For Newcastle, off-road Longstaff serves multiple purposes. It frees wages and creates space within the team for new signatures.
Another player who can leave Magpie this summer is Matt Target.
Report: Newcastle can have a mammoth transfer budget to spend this summer