Report: ‘Quality’ 24-year-old wants to leave PL side to join Everton

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Everton plan to press ahead with a bid for Sean Longstaff, with The Times reporting that the Toffees believe that the Newcastle United star wants to join them this month.

Longstaff is, once again, being linked with a move away from Tyneside in this window. The 24-year-old is out of contract at St James’ Park at the end of the season.

He has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this term. However, it would appear that he would like to move on before the deadline passes.

The Times reports that he is keen to be reunited with Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park. There is a problem for Everton however.

The report notes that Lucas Digne is not interested in joining Newcastle. Therefore, any hopes of a swap deal have largely been dashed.

And The Times notes that the Magpies are unlikely to be tempted to cash in on Longstaff due to the sort of fee they could demand while his contract runs down.

Benitez will be disappointed should Everton fail to land Longstaff this month

It will be a blow for Benitez. Longstaff played the best football of his career while playing under the Spaniard. In fact, Newcastle valued the academy graduate at £50 million when he was attracting interest from Manchester United.

Benitez suggested a player with his ‘quality‘ should be in contention for an England call-up.

Obviously, he has probably not kicked on since then. But he is still young enough to get back on track. And Benitez may have felt that he was the man to help him get there.

A move to Everton may still take place. But Benitez – if he remains in charge for the rest of the season – may seemingly have to wait until the summer.