A number of Newcastle United fans have been reacting to reports from The Mirro that Derby County could be potentially interested in signing Matty Longstaff on loan in January.
Longstaff had been linked with a potential move away from the Magpies in the summer, with Udinese interested in taking him to Serie A. Steve Bruce was able to keep hold of the 20-year-old for the time being, with Newcastle having agreed a two-year deal with the midfielder after his breakthrough last term.
The youngster had suffered problems with a thigh injury at the start of the season and has struggled to force his way into Bruce’s side since his return to action, making just one appearance in the Premier League in their 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
The midfielder has the likes of Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Shaun Longstaff and Jeff Hendrick ahead of him in the pecking order and the Magpies are potentially set to be in the market to add to their options in that area in January. Therefore, a loan move might be a good option for Longstaff in the winter window.
It has now been reported that Championship strugglers Derby could be interested in taking him on loan in January, with the Rams’ new technical director Steve McClaren keen to utilise his contacts at St James’ Park to secure a potential deal for the 20-year-old, as reported by the Sunday Mirror (29/11/2020, p72).
Newcastle fans react to potential Longstaff departure
Some Newcastle fans were bemoaning the lack of minutes that Bruce has afforded him so far this campaign, while others suggested that a loan move away to Derby could be useful for him to get his development back on track.
This would be a terrible move for his development – one basket case club to another
— EastStandFlags (@MichaelGallon) November 29, 2020
No – He needs to be playing for us
— Si (@iCoreZST) November 29, 2020
wouldn’t send him there but he should go to a top half champ club for half a season
— Joe (@nufcrichys) November 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/bigrobnufc/status/1332999579873251331?s=19
Logical move. For me, still don’t understand why he he wasn’t loaned out in January.
Purpose of his development is by playing consecutive games. Had far from that this season https://t.co/kxzIsyuxgO
— Callum Irving (@NUFCIrving1010) November 29, 2020
He needs the game time, half a season will do wonders for him
— Eddie Howe-Way (@HoweWayTheLads) November 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/ChipperfieldNot/status/1332985461233627138?s=19
Bruce playing Hendricks instead of him defies belief
— nick entwisle (@NEntwisle) November 29, 2020
