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Leeds United are reportedly in the race to sign Matty Longstaff, who could improve drastically under manager Marcelo Bielsa if he opts to make the move to Elland Road.

The 20-year-old is currently a free agent, as he decided against signing a new contract at Newcastle United at the end of the season

The Chronicle reports that Newcastle are still trying to tempt the English midfielder to pen a new deal and link up with the squad ahead of pre-season training next week.

It is understood that Longstaff has been in fresh talks with Leeds and Serie A club Udinese about a potential move, plus there is also interest from German side Schalke.

Longstaff is a highly-rated talent to come out of the Newcastle academy and Toon manager Steve Bruce desperately wants him to stay at James’ Park, but his future still remains unclear right now.

The next Mateusz Klich?

Despite the players doing the hard graft on the pitch to earn promotion from the Championship last season as title-winners, perhaps the most influential figure is Leeds’ Argentine manager Bielsa.

In two years he’s managed to improve so many players individually and has his team playing a relentless style of high intensity attacking football.

Whites midfielder Mateusz Klich has to be one of the most improved at Elland Road, as the 30-year-old has been one of the ever-presents in the engine room and an attacking threat too with seven goals and five assists last season.

Leeds target Longstaff has plenty of similarities in his game to the Poland international and it’s easy to picture him following in a similar path at Elland Road.

Longstaff looks a Bielsa player on paper due his energy, work-rate and attacking runs on the ball, so he could come on so much if he gets the chance to work alongside the highly regarded manager.

The young central midfielder impressed with three goals in his 16 appearances last season in Newcastle’s first-team and he really could take his game to new heights at Leeds, with Klich someone he could go onto emulate.