The Matty Longstaff contract situation is starting to look grim, with it growing increasingly likely that the youngster could leave the club this summer – for next to nothing.

This is according to Chris Waugh of The Athletic, who reports that contract talks have become strained, with Longstaff also concerned about future playing time if a new agreement was met – with him failing to feature in any league game since Nabil Bentaleb’s January arrival.

Our training ground has been empty since March 13, which has also proved a stumbling block for Charnley, but in reality this should only be a small hiccup when it comes to doing a negotiation. We’re living in 2020 after all!

The article also states that Premier League clubs who did not have the youngster on their radar initially could now see him as a ‘cheaper alternative’, but that top European clubs such as Inter Milan, Marseille and an unnamed Bundesliga side have all shown real interest.

“In a normal season you will fight 5 clubs for a free transfer but, this summer, it might be 10 clubs. It'll be ferocious.”#NUFC risk losing Matty Longstaff for a nominal £400k fee this summer -why he's now even more attractive a prospect than beforehttps://t.co/m1mEjCc2N3 — Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) April 13, 2020

It is reported that we’ve offered Longstaff, who is currently on a measly £850 a week, a ‘higher wage than what we would usually offer someone in his position’, yet it seems he and his representatives are still holding out for more.

As much as a shame it will be if Longstaff leaves the club but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me. In fact, this is something I called months ago, alongside his brother Sean who I think will also leave the club in the next year or so.

When Carroll left in January 2011 he had just signed a 5-year contract. His hands were tied due to the club accepting a £35million offer, and as much as we hurled abuse at him when he returned in April 2012 (I definitely did), in hindsight, he left the club against his will – something he has since admitted.

If Matty Longstaff were to leave on a free in June, it would be purely down to financial gain? Without knowing the deal offered it’s hard to define exactly what’s holding this up, but if he has been offered more money than anyone else in his position then what is the hold up? Would that be £10,000, £15,000, or even £20,000 a week?

He hasn’t even finished his breakthrough season in professional football yet, so it leaves you wondering whether his camp have got ahead of themselves.

Do the right thing Matty. Ignore that agent and follow your heart… sign the contract and play for that black-and-white shirt!

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