Sean Longstaff and Lloyd Kelly receive Premier League interest - Report
Newcastle United’s transfer business may not yet be complete this winter with a pair of players linked with exits as Miguel Almiron closes in on a return to the MLS.
A verbal agreement between the Magpies, Atlanta United and the Paraguayan will see the 30-year-old complete return to his former side once he has completed his medical.
It has been suggested that two more fringe players may also be moved on, with additional funds not only easing our PSR situation but boosting funds to spend this summer.
Premier League clubs eyeing Kelly and Longstaff
Newcastle United have received Premier League interest in Lloyd Kelly and out-of-favour midfielder Sean Longstaff.
In today's Transfer Deal sheet piece, The Athletic report that 'at least two' unnamed Premier League clubs have joined the race for Kelly, while Everton remain in the mix for Longstaff after 'long-standing' interest.
Kelly arrived on Tyneside on a free transfer during the summer and has integrated gradually into Howe’s plans with just four Premier League starts, although that isn’t an uncommon theme for the Newcastle manager.
The club are not 'actively looking' to move the defender on but, with the mystery pair of Premier League sides joining the continental interest of Juventus and Fenerbahce, Newcastle will consider significant permanent offers or loans with an obligation to buy to help our PSR situation.
Longstaff’s position in the midfield pecking order makes his position within the squad a more fragile one than ever before. The starting three picks itself, while Lewis Miley has been preferred since his reintegration from injury and Joe Willock still sees a healthy amount of minutes from the bench.
It is improbable, but not impossible, that Longstaff will leave this month, especially with his contract extended until 2026 to protect his market value.
A deal for the local lad would represent pure profit from a PSR perspective and Everton can be considered a likely home for Longstaff. The Toffees have been long-term fans of the 27-year-old, and have current midfield options in Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye out of contract in the summer, while Orel Mangala will return to parent club Lyon.
Toon must become better sellers
The $12m (£9.65m) deal that will take Almiron to the MLS could have been considerably more had we capitalised on previous interest in the Paraguayan during his purple patch, with his stock (and form) dropping considerably since.
A similar conversation could be had about Callum Wilson. The forward’s season has once again been scuppered by injury, leaving us in a difficult position with his contract currently set to expire in the summer. We do have the option to extend his deal and sell (much like the Longstaff situation), but it feels like another moment missed to recoup anything near his peak value.
The benefit of hindsight can be a wonderful thing, but we as a club must become better and more ruthless sellers and bypass sentimentality if we are to push to compete amongst the European elite.
This may well be our final opportunity to get a decent fee for Longstaff, while Kelly can represent a quick profit and a smart piece of business providing a good offer arrives.
