Newcastle manager Steve Bruce admits concern over Matty Longstaff’s contract situation

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Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has admitted he’s concerned about the contract situation surrounding midfielder Matty Longstaff, as per the Telegraph.

They report that Longstaff may well be holding off agreeing to renew his current deal, which runs out in five months, until his brother Sean ends his stand-off and agrees a new contract.

Bruce said: “It’s a concern for us all, of course it is. I hope we can get that tied up, I really do. But they’ve got the power these days, the players. We see it often now, with young players as well.

“I hope there’s a bit of common sense. There’s nobody, at 19, played more games than [Matty]. He’s got an opportunity. We always want to keep our best young players, especially if they’re Geordies. Let’s hope they both get tied up. I leave all that up to Lee Charnley.”

TBR’s View – How much were Manchester United really interested in Sean Longstaff?

Back in July, the Times linked Manchester United with a swoop for Sean Longstaff on the back of an impressive breakthrough season.

Essentially, that’s what the contract sagas over the two brothers boils down to. The Telegraph report that Longstaff still wants terms which puts him among the highest paid players at the club, and doubtless cites the reported interest from Old Trafford as a reason.

Is this interest genuine? In this era of powerful agents and players, perhaps it’s just been leaked from that end of things, and now Newcastle face losing two hugely promising young players.

Perhaps Sean should accept more reasonable terms – especially given his form has tapered off this season – and the duo could sign long-term deals with their boyhood club and return their focus to playing football.