Football
Exclusive: West Ham Enter Race to Hijack Leeds Move for Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff
West Ham and Leeds United are in a battle to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff. Burnley and Everton are also interested, with Burnley considering a swap deal for Longstaff if Josh Brownhill leaves. Newcastle, not in a rush to sell, have previously rejected bids for Longstaff.
Newcastle United FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League by James Gill - Danehouse | Getty Images
West Ham are ready to battle with Leeds United for the signature of wanted Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
And our sources have also learnt Burnley and Everton have expressed an interested in the player, especially for the Clarets if Josh Brownhill doesn't re-sign with the club.
Top-scorer Brownhill starred last season for the Lancashire outfit with 18 goals in a season to savour as the club claimed a memorable promotion back to the Premier League.
But the 29-year-old, who has been at the club for five seasons, has not signed a new contract at Turf Moor and is wanted by Everton.
He is currently a free agent, although the Clarets are hopeful they can keep the former Manchester United man.
And the Clarets would also consider a swap deal with Longstaff if Brownhill does depart.
Leeds have made no secret of their desire to sign Longstaff, who has one year left on his Magpies’ contract.
And the Hammers are in the market to try and sign him, although Leeds have pursued the midfielder for much of the summer.
A fee in the region of £12million has been muted, with additional add-ons if the 27-year-old puts pen to paper on a move to Elland Road.
PREVIOUS BIDS
Newcastle are not in any rush to sell Longstaff having previously rejected bids for the player in the player in the past.
But the Tyneside club have just shelled out £55million to sign Swedish winger Anthony Elanga from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe has also been linked with a big-money move for Manchester City’s wantaway midfielder Jack Grealish.
If England international Grealish did leave for St. James’ Park, then Longstaff’s involvement could become even more limited in the final year of his current deal.
Longstaff has enjoyed seven seasons in the Premier League and chipped in with 16 goals in a total of 214 appearances for the club since signing in 2016.
He had load spells with Kilmarnock and Blackpool before establishing himself in Newcastle’s first team and featured in the side which won the EFL Cup last season, ending a 70-year wait for domestic silverware.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.