Newcastle United agree deal as latest talks result in transfer breakthrough
Newcastle United have reached a transfer agreement to sell Sean Longstaff to Leeds United, marking the end of the midfielder’s long-standing association with his boyhood club.
The breakthrough came after a fresh round of negotiations that followed the Magpies’ rejection of an improved offer from Leeds late last week.
Persistence from both sides has now led to a deal that will see Longstaff head to Elland Road for an initial fee of £13 million, with an additional £2 million in performance-related add-ons expected to be triggered during his time in West Yorkshire.
Having already settled personal terms, Longstaff is set to undergo a medical within the next 24 hours, with the formalities expected to conclude swiftly.
Once completed, the 27-year-old will officially bid farewell to Tyneside, closing the chapter on a career that began when he joined Newcastle’s academy as a schoolboy from North Shields.
Longstaff’s rise to the first team was steady and marked by resilience. Loan spells at Kilmarnock and Blackpool helped him gain valuable experience before Rafael Benítez handed him his senior debut in a League Cup clash against Nottingham Forest back in August 2018.
Over the years, he featured in 214 competitive matches, contributing 16 goals and building a reputation as a hard-working, team-first player who often put collective goals ahead of personal accolades.
One of Longstaff’s most defining moments in a black-and-white shirt came in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton in January 2023.
With both goals in a 2-1 win at St James’ Park, he fired Newcastle into their first major cup final at Wembley in more than 20 years. His performance that night symbolised his impact in big moments, even if he wasn’t always a headline maker.
Another unforgettable highlight arrived during the Champions League group stages, where he found the net in Newcastle’s historic victory over Paris Saint-Germain at St James’ Park.
That night showcased not only his tenacity but also his capability to rise to the occasion against elite opposition.
Despite those contributions, Longstaff’s influence waned last season. He gradually slipped down Eddie Howe’s pecking order, with injuries and form both playing a role.
His final league start came in December’s defeat to Brentford, and he made his last appearance as a substitute in the May home victory over Chelsea.
Newcastle’s midfield remains well stocked, with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, and Joelinton forming the core trio, while Joe Willock and Lewis Miley are reliable deputies.
This depth has made Longstaff’s departure feasible without immediate concern for a like-for-like replacement.
Nonetheless, the club may still look to reinforce the midfield, and speculation has already emerged linking them to a move for Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who appears set for a return to England this summer.
Longstaff’s exit signals a significant shift for Newcastle, not just from a squad perspective but symbolically as well.
He represented the pathway from academy to first team—a local talent who wore the shirt with pride and contributed at crucial moments. His departure is a reminder that even loyal servants eventually make way in the evolving demands of modern football.
For Leeds United, his arrival brings a player with Premier League pedigree, professionalism, and the experience of competing at the highest levels of domestic and European football.