Carlton Palmer: Rafa Benitez would want Sean Longstaff at Everton
Carlton Palmer sees Rafa Benitez reuniting with Sean Longstaff at Everton in January given his refusal to extend his Newcastle deal.
The 23-year-old is a free agent next summer, and Liverpool Echo claim that the Toffee’s summer interest in the Magpies midfielder has not gone away.
Everton believe Longstaff will be available for a cut-price deal when the winter transfer window opens, and Palmer reckons his former boss at St. James’ Park will make a move in the New Year.
“I’m sure Rafa would be interested in signing a player of his quality,” the pundit told This Is Futbol.
“I mean, that’s the thing now, if his contract’s up next summer and he doesn’t sign a new contract and somebody comes in, then you’ve got to move him on.”
Best to wait?
Newcastle would not want to lose the midfielder for nothing, and January is the last chance for them to get something for him.
However, most suitors will be keen to wait for six more months and sign him on a free.
Benitez gave Longstaff his Premier League debut and continues to admire him.
However, strengthening the midfield is not of utmost priority for Everton right now, with Tom Davies, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph all available to provide Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan with much-needed covers for the time being.
Waiting till summer in order to sign him for nothing will be the best thing to do, but there will be a lot of clubs vying for his signature by then, and it seems the Toffees want to avoid joining such a long queue.
Despite his recent struggles under Steve Bruce at Newcastle, Longstaff knows he can rediscover his form playing for Benitez again.
Things could be interesting in January, and Everton could be making a smart move by bringing him to Goodison Park in a bargain deal.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are in hunt for new coach after exit left void in key behind-the-scenes area.
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