Marseille have joined Inter Milan in the race for Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff, according to a report.
Longstaff has followed in the footsteps of his brother Sean this season by breaking through into the Newcastle first team after coming through the academy, although doubts have now arisen about the long-term futures of the duo.
Matty Longstaff’s future is the more pressing concern for Magpies chiefs, as his contract runs out at the end of the season. Doubts remain over whether the midfielder will extend his stay on Tyneside.
According to The Athletic, the teenager is being eyed up by Inter Milan and Marseille ahead of the summer transfer window.
Inter are no strangers to snapping up players from the Premier League, with Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young all joining from Manchester United within the past year.
The Serie A side are ready to add Tahith Chong to that list on another free transfer this summer, but Longstaff is another option they could approach for nothing.
It had been reported earlier this month that they were ready to tempt Longstaff with a long-term contract offer, but now The Athletic add Marseille’s name into the mix.
Longstaff is waiting for an improved contract from Newcastle, where he would like to stay, but if the two parties fail to reach an agreement, he is keeping his options open.
He may become the latest English player to move abroad if the deadlock in negotiations cannot be broken, with one unnamed Bundesliga club also said to be in the hunt.
Steve Bruce admitted at the start of February that he was concerned over Longstaff’s situation.
“It’s a concern for us all, of course it is. I hope we can get that tied up, I really do,” he said.
“But, they’ve got the power these days, the players. We see it often now with young players as well. I hope there’s a bit of common sense.
“There’s nobody, at 19, played more games than him. He’s got an opportunity.”
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