Man Utd ready to give up interest for Sean Longstaff, Newcastle claiming £ 50m for midfielder

Manchester United was surprised by the valuation of Sean Longstaff by Newcastle.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hoped to include the midfielder in his summer review – but the exorbitant Newcastle asking price cast doubt on this.

United expects to pay a maximum of £ 25 million for the 21-year-old – and Solskjær has already warned that he would be moving away from overly expensive targets.

The Old Trafford hierarchy also refuses to pay the value of Harry Maguire to Leicester for £ 90 million. However, the Longstaff Award is the best example of what they consider unrealistic fees for national talent.

The Academy's graduate has only made nine appearances in the Premier League – and United is the only club to show interest this summer.

They have taken a formal approach in recent days and have been told that the cost would be the same as the cost for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to move away from St James' Park.

But Solskjær is adamant: the club will not be held in ransom.

He issued a warning here in Perth: "We are still in the market, but we are patient.

"We are Manchester United. We do not sell or pay too much.

"You must have the right players at the right price."

Solskjær wants to sign two midfielders this summer to fill the void left by Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini.

They were confident in reaching an agreement for Longstaff, believing he was anxious to move to Old Trafford and had a free trial with no competition for his signature.

They are supposed to continue negotiations, but have made it clear that they will not respect the price Newcastle charges.