What Eddie Howe has said on Sean Longstaff’s Newcastle future after Everton have bid “knocked back”

Everton have had a bid rebuffed by Newcastle for Sean Longstaff.

Toffees boss Rafa Benitez is a long-standing admirer of the Magpies midfielder, having handed him his breakthrough while in charge at St James' Park.

Will Sean Longstaff join Everton?

Longstaff has had a frustrating period at Newcastle since Benitez's departure at the end of the 2018-19 season.

This campaign, he's been limited to 14 appearances in all competitions - and not featured in six of the Magpies' past nine matches.

Longstaff is out of contract at his boyhood club in the summer and reported by the Shields Gazette that Everton made an offer last week. It was rejected.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe last month insisted that Longstaff will get opportunities to showcase his talent in their bid for Premier League survival.

He said: “I’m aware of that [contract] situation.

“Sean is a very good player and he will have an opportunity to showcase his talent.

“First of all, Sean is a very good player. He will have an opportunity I’m sure as the fixtures progress to showcase his talents and show to me and everybody connected with the club that he has a long-term future here.

“That’s in his hands as well, not just ours.”

“He’s a young player and obviously has a long association with the club.

“I recognise that and the journey he’s been on through various aspects of the football club.

“We have competition in that position. Jonjo (Shelvey) has been in good form and Joe Willock has come back into the team.

“With Isaac Hayden, Sean and Jeff Hendrick as well - we have good bodies in there to fight for places and that’s very much what I want.”

Could Lucas Digne join Newcastle?

Newcastle are said to be looking to tie Longstaff down to a long-term future.

Benitez wants to bolster his midfield optionsin a bid to rescue Everton from their current plight.

The Blues have plummeted to 16th in the table after picking up just six points in their past 12 matches.

It's also been reported by Sky Sportsthat the Magpies have offered Longstaff to Everton as a makeweight for Lucas Digne.

The left-back looks set for a Goodison Park exit this month amid an off-field dispute with Benitez and thearrival of Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev.

Newcastle are claimed to have lodged a £22.5 million bid plus Longstaff for Digne.

However, the France international would prefer a move elsewhere.

Chelsea, Aston Villa, West Ham and Leicester are among the Premier League clubs who’ve been linked, along with Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.