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Man Utd have told Sean Longstaff one thing that complicates Newcastle transfer deal
MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly told Newcastle star Sean Longstaff’s entourage there were ‘a few ahead of him’ when it comes to transfer targets.
Sean Longstaff: Man United fan discusses transfer rumours
Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Newcastle star Longstaff, who impressed over at St James’ Park last season.
The 21-year-old is viewed as a potential replacement for Nemanja Matic should the Serbia international decide to leave amid interest from Inter and AC Milan.
Manchester United need midfielders in fast having seen Ander Herrera jump ship to PSG.
They are also yet to fill the void left by Marouane Fellaini’s exit to Chinese Super League outfit Shandong Luneng Taishan.
Yet the Manchester Evening News say United told Longstaff there were ‘a few ahead of him’ when it came to targets.
They also said a similar thing to Youri Tielemans, who was reluctant to wait around and moved to Leicester instead.
The report claims that United’s transfer negotiation tactic is to sometimes tell a player they are not first choice.
It is said that ‘can make a target feel undervalued’.
And a source is quoted as saying ‘it’s one of their failings.’
United are still yet to sign a central midfielder and Newcastle have reportedly slapped a £50m price tag on Longstaff.
Also on their list of potential target is Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes, who hit over 30 goals last season.
The Portugal international also helped propel his country to Nations League glory last month, starring in wins over Switzerland and Holland.
Meanwhile, United’s interest in Longstaff was recently questioned by pundit Danny Mills.
“Why are they interested in Longstaff when they have McTominay? It makes no sense,” he said.
“Surely they would be buying like-for-like. Is Longstaff better than McTominay? I’m not sure he is.
“I don’t see what Longstaff would add to Man United.
“The club’s transfer policy just seems a little bit slapdash. I don’t even understand what their policy is.
“Sure, they’re trying to buy young players with potential. But they already have a decent young central midfielder.”