Leeds United dealt first summer transfer setback as midfield 'target' exit ruled out

Leeds United may have a battle on their hands if they are to prise Sean Longstaff away from Newcastle United this summer. The Whites are said to have identified the midfielder as a potential target this summer should they win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

At the time of writing that is something the Whites are on course to do with the club perched inside the automatic promotion spots. It seems making Joe Rodon's deal permanent could be the club's priority in the summer if they were to go up, while they have been strongly linked with the signing of Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley.

But the Whites are said to be interested in Longstaff, who appeared to have an uncertain future at St James' Park. However, according to Football Insider, Newcastle are now keen to see the midfielder stick around this summer after seeing him prove his worth to Eddie Howe this season.

Longstaff has started 30 games in all competitions for the Magpies and with Sandro Tonali yet to complete the ban he received last year for gambling offences, he looks set to play a key role for Newcastle over the remainder of the season. Tonali, who was charged by the FA earlier this week, is currently due to return in August, but it seems Longstaff could still remain a part of Howe's plans.

The 26-year-old has spent his entire senior career with Newcastle, making 172 appearances for the club in total. He did have spells with both Blackpool and Kilmarnock on loan earlier in his career, but he has been a regular in the senior fold at Newcastle for the last five seasons now and, if the report is to be believed, he looks set to play a role next time around, too.

Of course, before Leeds can start to fully think about potential summer targets, they need to get over the line in the promotion battle. A win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Friday night would be enough to ensure they remain inside the automatic promotion spots and with just seven more games to play, they'll fancy their chances of reclaiming a seat at English football's top table.