Matty Longstaff is on the wrong side of this contract drama

Newcastle United have been in talks for months to extend Matty Longstaff’s stay on Tyneside, but the youngster is making things more complicated than they have to be.

Newcastle United are doing their best to negotiate new contracts for players they consider to be top talents. The front office was pleased to announce that Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie both put pen to paper by agreeing to extend their stay at St. James’ Park for three more seasons.

Other key players, such as Javier Manquillo and Federico Fernandez, are also in line to sit down and negotiate new deals with Newcastle United. Securing the services of both defenders would be perceived as solid business by the Toon Army, but at the moment all eyes are on Matty Longstaff.

Newcastle United and Longstaff have been in talks for months now, but no agreement has been reached, and time is running out as there are only two months left in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign. At first it seemed as if the club was not trying hard enough to convince the young midfielder to stay, but now the narrative is changing.

Steve Bruce has utilized his press conferences before games on multiple occasions to publicly express his desire for Longstaff to sign a new contract. Ahead of the game against Southampton, Bruce made the following statements:

"It’s a concern [the ongoing contract negotiations]. I just hope that he looks at it as a football decision. I’m sure there are people in his ear, distractions.…Tell me another 19-year-old who’s played in the Premier League this year. Not many.…I’ve made big decisions around him, and left people out to play him. I hope he finds a conclusion with the club."

The gaffer is spot on with his statements. As a 19-year-old, Longstaff has been fortunate to get the nod over some key players in the starting lineup six times this season. In total, Longstaff has made seven league appearances this term, and had a memorable debut against Manchester United, in which he scored the game-winning goal.

Over the last few months, rumors have been claiming that many European giants are interested in signing the Newcastle United academy product this summer. These distractions are definitely playing a role in Longstaff’s decision. Yes, I am aware of the fact that the claimed that he wants to stay a few weeks ago, but he should go ahead and sign a new contract if that is the case.

Distractions have already had a negative impact on his brother, Sean, who was a top performer last season, but now raises eyebrows when his name is in the starting lineup because of his mediocre form. At the end of the day, Matty has to do decide what is best for himself, but from the outside looking in, it is quite obvious that he would get the most playing time as a Newcastle United player.

Moreover, the coaching staff constantly praise his work ethic and quality as a player, and the fans are thrilled to see the hometown boy suit up for the Magpies under the lights of St. James’ Park. His agents will be telling him to chase the money, but he cannot let greed ruin his career when it has just begun. The youngster is talented, but he still has much to prove and I can only hope that he decides to tap into his full potential wearing the black and white stripes of Newcastle United.