Several Newcastle United players, including Sean Longstaff, are set to have their contracts expire at the end of this season, putting the club in a position where important decisions will need to be made ahead of the January transfer window. Players with just six months remaining on their contracts are free to talk to foreign clubs about potential pre-contract agreements, which could see them leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Longstaff, a regular starter under Eddie Howe, has been a key figure in recent matches, playing four consecutive games across all competitions. Given his importance to the team, Newcastle would be keen to avoid losing him for nothing, particularly since the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules offer clubs a financial boost when homegrown players are sold.
Although the club is believed to have an option to extend Longstaff’s current contract, the player himself has expressed uncertainty over whether that option has been triggered. In comments about his future, Longstaff stated, “If it’s here, great. If not, it’s not. I want to be valued as a player, and whether it’s here or elsewhere, I’ll accept it.”
The situation surrounding Longstaff’s future has sparked much debate, with a recent poll by the Shields Gazette revealing that 81% of respondents believe the club should offer him a new deal, while just 19% are against it.
Fabian Schär, another key player whose contract expires in the summer, faces a different situation. Unlike Longstaff, Schär does not have an automatic contract extension option, meaning Newcastle will need to enter direct negotiations with the player and his representatives if they wish to secure his future at the club.
