Noel Whelan insists getting Matty Longstaff tied down to a new contract was a “no-brainer” even if there is a takeover at Newcastle United.
The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, believes the homegrown talent always wanted to commit his long-term future to his boyhood club despite months of speculation.
The Magpies confirmed on Saturday that the 20-year-old had agreed terms on a new two-year deal after his old contract ran out this summer.
🤝 He's here to stay!#NUFC are delighted to confirm that @mattylobby48 has signed a new deal with the club. ⚫️⚪️
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 22, 2020
The promising talent made 15 appearances during his breakthrough season on Tyneside and scored three goals.
Whelan insists Newcastle would have had to splash the cash in the transfer market to replace him and that tying him down was sensible business.
Whelan told Football Insider: “You look now and he’s come out and said Steve Bruce has tempted him to stay – I don’t think there’s a tempt there, I think he always wanted to stay.
