Contract talks deadlocked at Newcastle United ahead of Premier League restart

The midfielder’s contract at St James’s Park is due to expire at the end of this month, though he could sign a short-term extension so he can help the club complete its delayed campaign.

Longstaff broke through this season after being promoted to the first-team squad last summer by Steve Bruce, who spoke of his “concern” at the prospect of losing the player early this year.

The 20-year-old made a goalscoring Premier League debut for the club against Manchester United at St James’s Park, and he also went on to score at Old Trafford and in an FA Cup tie against Rochdale.

Longstaff spoke of his keenness to commit to his boyhood club last October.

“Obviously, I want to stay at Newcastle,” said Longstaff. “But the biggest thing for me is just to carry on playing well, and that will take care of itself.”

United, however, are yet to agree a new deal with Longstaff, who made his league debut alongside his elder brother Sean, who established himself as a first-team player at the club last season.

Newcastle recently improved their offer, though the terms are still understood to be inferior to what’s on offer elsewhere.

The hope is that the club’s prospective owners will be able to force a breakthrough in talks if their proposed £300million takeover is soon approved by the Premier League.

If not, Italy is the most likely destination for Longstaff, who is wanted by Udinese.

Meanwhile, the Longstaff brothers are set to return to training this week from a minor injury ahead of Sunday’s behind-closed-doors home league game against Sheffield United.

Speaking after the weekend’s 2-0 friendly win over Hull City at St James’s Park, head coach Bruce said: “We’ve picked up one or two (injuries) in the week, you know the two Longstaff brothers in particular, but they’ll hopefully be joining us on Monday or Tuesday.”

Longstaff was used sparingly in the league in the weeks before the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it remains to be seen if he will feature while he faces an uncertain future at the club.