Report: Two Championship clubs set to battle it out for 'terrific' Newcastle midfielder this summer

If Newcastle United want to build up a squad capable of challenging for titles, the sad reality is that some popular players are going to have to be sold.

In these dark times of Financial Fair Play strangling the life out of the game, Newcastle have to be very careful how they tread in the transfer market to avoid points deductions like Nottingham Forest and Everton. This is despite the immense wealth of our 80% owners who could pump endless funds into the club with zero risk of it falling into financial trouble.

Instead, sacrifices will have to be made to bring revenue in and unlock spending ability under the current FFP model, which is why Sean Longstaff could well be a player we see leave St James' Park this summer.

The Geordie lad who came through the academy would run through walls for the club having played many games this season on a broken foot, but now two clubs are keen on his services and the wisest choice would be to sell.

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Newcastle will ask for at least £15m for Longstaff

The Sunday Mirror (via Caught Offside) has claimed that both Leeds United and Leicester City would be keen on signing Longstaff were they to gain promotion back to the Premier League.

It's thought Newcastle would demand between £15m-£20m for the midfielder, which in FFP terms would be pure profit thanks to him being an academy graduate.

Former Leeds man Carlton Palmer recently told Football League World that Longstaff would be a 'terrific signing' for Leeds, but now Leicester have jumped on the bandwagon which increases the likelihood that we could lose Longstaff this summer.

It's never good to see a homegrown player sold

Longstaff hasn't exactly been in the form of his life this season but given that he's been playing through injury for most of it that's to be expected, but it would still be sad to see a homegrown lad sold.

However, as we said before, if we're going to build a title-winning side, then these tough decisions must be made and we will see beloved players move on.

If Longstaff does end up going to either Leeds or Leicester then he should find himself as one of the first names on their teamsheet next season, especially when fully fit.