Everton-linked Sean Longstaff could be available in swap deal
Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff could be available in a swap deal this summer amid interest from Everton, according to The Athletic.
The online news outlet claims Rafa Benitez is an admirer of the 23-year-old Englishman, and he is still in contact with him after previously working together on Tyneside.
The Athletic have reported that Magpies boss Steve Bruce has explored potential swap deals involving Longstaff, who has accepted that his future may lie elsewhere.
Who could we offer?
There are a number of players the Blues reportedly want to get off the books this summer.
The likes of James Rodriguez and Moise Kean have been constantly linked with a Goodison Park exit, but the chances of either of those swapping Merseyside for Tyneside seems unlikely in the extreme.
Others like Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes are slightly more realistic but as ex-Barcelona players who arrived in big-money moves, a Newcastle switch doesn’t appear to be on the agenda.
Perhaps players like Fabian Delph and Alex Iwobi are more obvious contenders to join Bruce’s side.
Either way, swap deals are extremely rare nowadays and such a transaction feels unlikely, but with the Blues’ precarious position under financial fair play rules, these are the sort of deals that may become more commonplace.
However, Longstaff’s contract expires next year, and the club may well look to bide their time and sign him for free.
He’s unlikely to break straight into the starting XI this season with the likes of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in the side, so it may be a wise move to hold off for the time being.
In other Everton news, the agents of this Blues-linked international attacker have flown into Europe to plot his expected summer switch.
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