Man Utd links tipped to earn Newcastle star bumper pay rise

Manchester United’s interest in Sean Longstaff appears to have earned the midfielder a bumper new pay rise at St James’ Park.

Longstaff was the subject of plenty of transfer speculation over the summer, with a move to Old Trafford seemingly on the cards for the 21-year-old, but nothing materialised.

Having valued Longstaff at around £50million when the Red Devils made an enquiry, Newcastle are now willing to improve the terms of the player’s four-year contract he signed back in December.

That deal reportedly earned Longstaff £25,000-a-week but, with United tipped to be back in for Longstaff in January, the club’s hierarchy are set to up that figure to as much as £80,000-a-week, according to The Times.

This would mean Longstaff earning a similar wage to fellow central midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who was the club’s highest earner before record signing Joelinton arrived in a £40m deal this summer.

Longstaff enjoyed an excellent debut campaign under Rafa Benitez before a knee injury prematurely ended his season.

The combative star was back in action at the weekend when he faced Arsenal, while his younger brother, Matty, is also expected to be offered a new contract at the club,.

The 19-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season but Toon boss Steve Bruce has been impressed with Longstaff junior during pre-season.

He said: “When I came in and joined the group in China, I was watching training and I said: ‘Who’s this little ginger one in the middle of the pitch?’

“He’s full of enthusiasm and full of life. He plays the game with a smile like only a local Geordie can. He’s been terrific, absolutely terrific.”

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