Newcastle boss Bruce on Matty Longstaff deal: Why the hell would you go to Udinese? | OneFootball

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is delighted to be keeping hold of Matty Longstaff amid summer interest from Udinese.

Bruce sat down with Longstaff and his parents after his contract had expired before clinching a deal following months of negotiations and a change of agent for the midfielder.

Bruce told Chronicle Live: "Deep down, the boy never wanted to go.

"I think people turned his head, which happens with young players.

"No disrespect to Udinese, why the hell would you want to go to Udinese?

"I think a conversation with his mam and dad, and him, got it over the line, which I'm delighted about."

United were lambasted by some fans when they allowed promising left-back Lewis Gibson leave to join Everton in 2019.

Bruce reflected: "It was important that we didn't lose our young players.

"Unfortunately, Matty's had that niggling thigh strain.

"So we hope he can get better."