This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle remain in a deadlock over contract discussions with Sean and Matty Longstaff.
What’s the word?
The duo have been one of the bright spots of a mixed season at St James’ Park this season, with the brothers establishing themselves at the heart of the Magpies midfield in recent weeks.
Older sibling Sean has been the subject of intense transfer speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford, whilst Matty’s current deal with Newcastle expires at the end of the current season.
Now, The Chronicle claim Steve Bruce’s side are yet to make a breakthrough in negotiations with the pair in respect to extending their deals, and the Newcastle boss admitted in his pre-match press conference that they are working to get them done.
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He said: “It took Martin Dubravka the best part of three months. I keep saying conversations are ongoing – the two Longstaff brothers are there for everybody to see. That will keep on going.”
Priority
Make no mistake about it, more than anything else this season, Newcastle simply have to convince the Longstaff brothers to put pen to paper on new long-term contracts.
Anything else would be a major travesty. The pair have brought the heart and passion back to St James’ Park amidst difficult times, and losing them would just rip the soul out of the club.
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Their iconic post-match comments after the victory against Manchester United earlier this season was a special moment. Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville remarked just how significant it was.
“I said before the game that the life has been sucked out of this ground but that sort of moment today, that will give a spark to fifty thousand Newcastle fans that there is something there. That’s why they turn up because one of their own has gone out there today and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.”
If they can get the duo to commit their futures to the club, the Magpies faithful know they can rally behind a couple of players who will give it their all no matter what and represent the local community. After all, they’ve come through the academy, and as Neville says, they’ve been a spark for the Toon Army.
As fans continue to understandably protest against Mike Ashley’s tyrannous regime, the Longstaff brothers are the key to restoring a sense of identity at St James’ Park.