Newcastle gaffer Steve Bruce says he is not aware of any move from Manchester United for Sean Longstaff.
The 22-year-old midfielder who has emerged for the Geordies last season has, apparently, been targeted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the injury to Scott McTominay has made the Norwegian’s demand for a holding midfielder greater.
Sky Sports claimed Ed Woodward tried to get a deal done for the player right up to the summer transfer deadline.
And the midfielder, when asked about the speculation in September, admitted the talk was flattering.
“You’re seeing stuff about yourself on the telly and the next day I’m in the gym and I can’t even step on to a box that’s the height of my shin, or get up the stairs without grabbing something,” he told The Times. “It’s not really something for me to comment on. It’s between the clubs.
“I was flattered to get my name mentioned in those conversations, but like my dad says, ‘Sport’s got a funny way of dragging you back down to earth.'”
Newcastle are believed to have placed a £50million valuation on the player and Bruce confirmed in October the club were in discussions with brothers Sean and Matty Longstaff over new contracts.
Neither have yet to pen new deals, but Bruce is desperate to hold on to Sean and told The Newcastle Chronicle: “Look I have said it from day one, we can never stop the speculation. ‘As far as I am concerned I know Mick Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer very well and at this moment I don’t know anything about it.
“We don’t want to sell our best young players. That’s certainly the case with Longy. This time last year he was just breaking through and he got in because of injury.
“The kid has done very well and let’s see if we can keep playing.”