Newcastle United set to end contract uncertainty by tying midfielder down to deal

Newcastle United are “quietly confident” they will tie down Matty Longstaff to a new, extended contract in the “next few weeks”.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Matty Longstaff of Newcastle United celebrates with team mate Andy Carroll after he scores the only goal of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on October 06, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Matty Longstaff of Newcastle United celebrates with team mate Andy Carroll after he scores the only goal of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on October 06, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Matty Longstaff of Newcastle United celebrates with team mate Andy Carroll after he scores the only goal of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on October 06, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of the Magpies’ trip to Aston Villa on Monday, where Longstaff is likely to be on the bench, Steve Bruce has been discussing the 19-year-old’s contractual situation.

Longstaff’s current deal runs out at the end of this season and should it be allowed to drag on the player could conceivably depart in the summer with United receiving just a compensation fee.

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And Bruce has revealed he is hopeful a conclusion to talks can be reached imminently.

“All of them things are on-going,” Bruce said of talks to extend deals for the likes of Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden and others.

“Young Matty has been away representing his country, which we all know about, but we are quietly confident we will get that all tied up in the next few weeks.

“As I have said before, it seems to take ages even with a young lad like Matty.

“We are quietly confident it will be OK.”

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Longstaff broke on the Newcastle scene in pre-season with a raking strike against St Etienne at St James’s Park. He has since followed that up with four appearances this season, including a goalscoring, match-winning performance on Premier League debut against Manchester United in October.

The contract situation with Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Matty’s brother Sean Longstaff remain unclear.

Shelvey and Ritchie’s deals run out in the summer of 2021.