NEWCASTLE UNITED are adamant Sean Longstaff will not be leaving Tyneside this summer despite being the subject of strengthening interest from Manchester United.

Ongoing talks between Rafael Benitez and Mike Ashley are set to continue this weekend, with both parties hoping to strike an agreement before the end of next week.

However, whatever happens in terms of Benitez’s future, the Newcastle hierarchy are adamant they will not allow Longstaff to move on.

Manchester United’s recruitment team held an end-of-season debrief with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this week, with Longstaff’s name understood to have been mentioned as a potential summer target.

The 21-year-old made a major impression after breaking into Newcastle’s first team at the turn of the year, and while his season was curtailed by a cruciate ligament injury, his recovery is going well and he should be available for pre-season training this summer.

The fact he is a young, English talent makes him especially appealing to the Premier League’s biggest clubs, who need to fill their quota of ‘homegrown’ players, and Newcastle officials are anticipating a flurry of inquiries once the transfer window formally reopens.

However, all will be rebuffed, with both Ashley and Lee Charnley adamant that Longstaff will not be sold at any price.

Instead, Magpies chiefs will look to open a new round of contract talks with Longstaff and his representatives once their managerial situation is resolved.

Longstaff signed a contract extension last season, which lasts to 2022, but his current deal does not really reflect his new status as a Premier League regular. An entirely new contract would change that, and Newcastle will attempt to tie the academy product down to an improved agreement as a matter of urgency this summer.

Longstaff is regarded as the brightest talent to have emerged through Newcastle’s ranks for a number of seasons, with Gareth Southgate known to have been considering him for international selection at either senior or Under-21 level prior to his injury setback.

Newcastle could lose a number of senior midfielders this summer, with Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame all potentially set to leave St James’ Park, so retaining Longstaff is a key priority.