Alan Shearer says that out-of-contract local lad Matty Longstaff would be taking a “huge risk” by moving to Udinese after having started just six games in the league in his entire career.
Longstaff is out of contract at the end of this month and talks on a new deal with the player reportedly asking for more than the £20k per week wage offered by the club. Last week, national media reported that Italian side Udinese had offered him a five year deal worth in excess of £30k per week.
“If he leaves at the end of his contract it will be a great shame because he’s a local boy and you don’t know what’s around the corner with the looming takeover,” said Toon legend Shearer.
“For someone who has started just six league games, it would be a huge gamble to move to Udinese and I really hope it doesn’t backfire for him.
“If the figures we’re hearing are correct then Newcastle have put a very good offer on the table.
“I understand their stance because you’ve got a 20-year-old who has not played much and wasn’t even in the equation at the beginning of the season.
“They feel they’ve offered him a lot of money, with increases going up and up each year, which he or his agent clearly doesn’t think is enough.
“And if Longstaff has already agreed to move, there’s little more they can do.”
It’s a tough situation for Longstaff but, as Shearer said, making the move to Italy at this point in his career is a huge risk. Shearer mentioned that if he’s already agreed to move there’s little they can do… For some reason, I still think the club will manage to sort a deal with Matty.
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