{"id":249882,"date":"2025-07-09T05:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T05:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/249882\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T05:03:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T05:03:11","slug":"leeds-united-now-close-to-12m-deal-for-highly-intelligent-player-man-utd-were-quoted-50m-for-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/249882\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds United now close to \u00a312m deal for ‘highly intelligent’ player Man Utd were quoted \u00a350m for in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Manchester United fans knew that the \u201cMan Utd tax\u201d is real, but even accounting for every development in the last six years, they are entitled to be furious at Leeds United\u2019s latest potential acquisition. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Leeds United are one of the fierce rivals of Man Utd<\/a>, but that\u2019s not going to be the least of their problems because they\u2019re just taking a market opportunity. <\/p>\n

They won\u2019t even be angry at the player, who is doing what\u2019s best for his career after a season that wasn\u2019t his best. <\/p>\n

They have the right to feel miffed at the different treatment they receive in the market compared to other teams, with the evidence clear. <\/p>\n

\"LiverpoolPhoto by Michelle Mercer\/Newcastle United via Getty ImagesLeeds United closing in on \u00a312m deal<\/p>\n

Leeds are preparing a Premier League return, and United will be fairly happy, since it\u2019s a game they\u2019ve had the upper hand in most times in the Premier League era.<\/p>\n

However, the next time they play Leeds United, they will see a face who will be extremely familiar with Man Utd. <\/p>\n

It was in the summer transfer window of 2019 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to create a spine of his team with young English players. <\/p>\n

Harry Maguire arrived in August that year, but before that, they were targeting a player who was the toast of English football. <\/p>\n

Newcastle had a quintessential local-boy-made-good story in the form of Sean Longstaff, who had a breakout season, including scoring at Old Trafford<\/a>. <\/p>\n

United were interested in signing him, but the move broke down over the asking price itself, as Newcastle slapped a price tag of \u00a350m on him, not budging even slightly. <\/p>\n

Six years on from that ridiculous price tag, Longstaff is on his way to Leeds United, as per David Ornstein, who reports that they have lodged a \u00a312m bid for the player. United were linked<\/a> recently too. <\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udea8 EXCL: Leeds pushing to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle. Third offer \u00a310m + \u00a32m yet to receive reply but close to limit before #LUFC<\/a> pursue other targets. Personal terms in place \u2013 27yo wants #NUFC<\/a> to earn rather go for free next summer @TheAthleticFC<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/6CJp7h56mg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Long six years, but the Man Utd tax point stands<\/p>\n

Six years is a long time in football, and it would be fair to say that Longstaff hasn\u2019t made good on the potential he showed in his breakout season. <\/p>\n

Having said that, this is still a player Eddie Howe was singing praises of as early as the 2024\/25 season, calling him a \u201chighly intelligent\u201d player in his press conference in September. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s a fair bet that if United went in for him now, they\u2019d be quoted at least \u00a330m, probably even more, considering Newcastle\u2019s one-sided rivalry with the Red Devils. <\/p>\n

His contract ends next summer, but United have a similar example for that kind of move as well, paying \u00a355m for Mason Mount a year before his contract ended. <\/p>\n

Perhaps stretching Bryan Mbeumo\u2019s negotiations<\/a> until they get the deal done on their terms isn\u2019t such a bad idea after all!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n