The player has produced an excellent campaign in 2023/24.
The club have a number of targets such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Conor Gallagher, but the Magpies have recently sent scouts to watch another midfield star who could transform Howe’s side next season.
Newcastle could swoop for £30m award winner this summer
According to a report from the Chronicle Live last week, Newcastle sent a scout to monitor Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley during their 3-2 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park a couple of weeks ago.
His stellar season has attracted a lot of attention and rightly so. However, Celtic are expecting to part ways with the 24-year-old this summer, but it would take a bid in the region of £30m for the Scottish club to consider any approach – as per Football Insider.
Why Howe must ditch Longstaff for O’Riley this summer
Whilst Longstaff has enjoyed a solid campaign himself scoring six and assisting two in his 35 Premier League outings this season, he’s unfortunately not at the level required if they are to compete for a Champions League spot once more in 2024/25.
O’Riley, who won Celtic’s Young, Players and Supporters Player of the Season for 2023/24, has been dubbed “immense” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and it’s hard to disagree when seeing how he’s outperformed Longstaff in 2023/24.
The London-born maestro averaged 0.56 assists per 90 this season, with Longstaff only able to post a tally of 0.06 – a measly figure in comparison to the Celtic star.
O’Riley has also been a potent threat in the final third, averaging 4.1 shot-creating actions per 90 – a figure nearly three times higher than the Magpies’ number 36.
| O’Riley vs Longstaff in 2023/24 (per 90) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | O’Riley | Longstaff |
| Assists | 0.56 | 0.06 |
| Shot-creating actions | 4.1 | 1.6 |
| Progressive passes | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Tackles | 2.6 | 1.8 |
| Interceptions | 1.3 | 0.6 |
However, the 24-year-old has also dominated out of possession, winning 2.6 tackles per 90 as well as 1.3 interceptions, with Longstaff averaging just 0.6.
Whilst O’Riley has been featuring in a lower-quality division this campaign, it’s clear that he’s way too good for the Scottish Premiership, with Howe needing to brutally ditch Longstaff and replace him with the in-demand star.
The one-time Fulham man may cost the club a pretty penny, but he’s got the potential to add more goals and defensive solidity to the Newcastle side, potentially being the final piece in Howe’s midfield puzzle.
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