Manchester United reportedly face shelling out £70m if they are to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United before today's transfer deadline.
Man United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward identified Longstaff as a key transfer target earlier in the summer and was initially confident of completing a £20m deal for the youngster.
However, the Red Devils hesitated over making their interest official and Newcastle subsequently raised their asking price to £50m.
The Daily Mail reports that it would now take a bid of £70m to prise the 21-year-old away from St James' Park on deadline day - £50m more than Woodward was initially hoping to spend on him.
Despite that hefty valuation for a player who has played just eight Premier League games, Longstaff is still thought to be on United's radar as they eye midfield reinforcements following the exits of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera.
Sporting Lisbon captain Bruno Fernandes is reportedly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's number one target for that area of the field, although Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in his signature.
Barney Corkhill
