Sean Longstaff is finally a Leeds United player as his long-awaited arrival at Elland Road has been confirmed.
After much deliberation with Newcastle United, Sean Longstaff has finally confirmed the next chapter in his career, and it’s with Leeds United.
The 27-year-old will be embarking on something completely different after his time with Newcastle, but Longstaff’s £15m arrival is certainly a welcome one.
Daniel Farke could use Longstaff in different ways as the midfielder boasts a portfolio of defensive and attacking success.
Fans have said Longstaff is the ‘best signing of the window’, with him bringing the Premier League experience Leeds will need, but after their fifth signing of the summer, it’s clear the 49ers’ transfer budget is now taking a hit.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesHow Sean Longstaff’s £15m move affects Leeds United’s budget
A midfielder was crying out to be signed at Elland Road, and it seems as though Longstaff has been the man Farke was after.
There have been hints that, with Longstaff joining and potentially Anton Stach following him, Leeds could change to a 4-3-3 formation.
The Whites boss will deliberate on this, but he knows that Longstaff could be an attacking force in that middle three after his success in scoring goals for the Toon Army.
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Now, taking into account the fee on the table, £15m was a bit more than the owners planned to spend, after Leeds’ third bid came to £12m.
But this is now the reality, and taking into account Leeds’ £150m transfer budget, this is what the 49ers could have left to spend this summer.
Leeds’ budget after Sean Longstaff’s £15m moveLukas NmechaFree transferJaka Bijol£15mSebastiaan Bornauw£5.1mGabriel Gudmundsson£10mSean Longstaff£15mBUDGET REMAINING£104.9m
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Leeds must start balancing the books after Longstaff deal
This is not to say £150m will be spent this summer, but if the owners wanted to, they could, especially after Paraag Marathe said every last penny will be spent.
But one thing is now clear after Longstaff’s deal, and that thing is that Farke needs to sell players to help balance the books.
There are still a fair few options that could be sold this summer, as Marathe didn’t rule out sales, and after over £45m spent now, this might have to become a reality.
Looking into who could be sold, it’s intriguing, but if Leeds want more signings through the door in a sustainable manner, these four could make the 49ers’ lives a lot easier.
Four players Leeds United could sell this summerBrenden AaronsonMateo JosephIsaac SchmidtPascal Struijk
The fact of the matter now is that Leeds have got their man, and Longstaff’s addition could prove pivotal in their Premier League survival hopes.