After various rumours surrounding the future of Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff, it has finally been confirmed that the youngster has signed a new long-term deal with the club.
Longstaff broke into the Newcastle team in pre-season ahead of the 2019/20 Premier League season and made an immediate impact with his winner against Manchester United on his top-flight debut.
He was an instant hit with Steve Bruce after his arrival last year and the Toon boss will now be looking to make the most of the 20-year-old after he put pen to paper on a new deal to put an end to any potential move elsewhere with Udinese and Leeds United believed to have shown an interest.
Why has Longstaff signed a new deal?
A new deal at Longstaff's boyhood club makes sense for all concerned parties, both the club and player himself.
Despite not always being the first name on the team sheet, the youngster has already gained valuable experience at the highest level and he knows where the goal is, especially against the Red Devils!
It should be said that perhaps Longstaff has been guaranteed more game time which is crucial to his development as a player. If this wasn't a guarantee then he may have considered his other options by moving to a club where he would be a regular.
Having been a hit in his first season with the Newcastle first team, the time now feels right that he deserves the chance to have a more sustained run in the side, and with the more congested 2020/21 campaign on the horizon managers will surely have to be looking at squad rotation on a more regular basis.
Newcastle have been criticised in the past for letting their young players go too soon, and it looked as if Longstaff would be the latest to disappear and improve elsewhere.
However this latest news is positive for the club and it's supporters as they will be able to watch one of their own develop over the coming years and perhaps even see him challenge for an international spot with England.
What would keep him attracted to Newcastle?
The obvious attraction to staying at Newcastle would be the fact that he can remain in his hometown.
Longstaff knows that the club's supporters want being a fan himself, and he will be hoping that he can be a part of the future of the club.
He also has his older brother Sean at the club as well, and with him also signing a new contract recently there is potential for a new midfield partnership forming between the two which would certainly be a coup for the Magpies.
Changes in squads are always going to happen, particularly in the current transfer market, but to keep two players who are capable of playing together in the heart of a team is a massive bonus for any side.
