This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion are monitoring Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff ahead of the summer transfer window, as per a Football League World exclusive.
Despite making a semi-respectable 15 league appearances this term, the 24-year-old has been an unused substitute in the Magpies' last three league games and could potentially become surplus to requirements in the summer.
This is due to the Tyneside outfit's new-found financial power following their takeover in October - and a summer spending spree could potentially be on the way at St James' Park to enable them to compete for top trophies.
Eddie Howe's men already strengthened their midfield last month with Bruno Guimaraes arriving from Ligue 1 club Lyon - and that could potentially signal the end of his career at Newcastle with younger brother Matty also being linked with a move to West Brom last summer.
Now it's the older Longstaff's turn to be linked to The Hawthorns with Steve Bruce's men in desperate need of more options in this position following their departure from the 3-4-3 system.
With Robert Snodgrass also leaving in the latter stages of last month, at least a couple of midfielders will be at the top of CEO Ron Gourlay's transfer agenda.
But is the Newcastle midfielder the right addition for them? Would it be a good signing?
We summoned three of our writers at Football League World to deliver their verdict.
Marcus Ally
Certainly in my book that would be a smart signing.
There was a time of course where Longstaff was priced out of a move to Manchester United and the ability is still clear to see at Premier League level.
This is not a time to panic for West Bromwich Albion, they have two more years of parachute payments and will be expected to strengthen their squad to match the likes of Norwich City and Watford potentially dropping to the second tier for next season.
Jake Livermore has been a very good player for the Baggies over the years, but he is not having the influence on proceedings that he once did, Longstaff could be seen as a long term replacement for him and, having worked under Bruce before, would likely slot in quite easily.
Declan Harte
Manchester United were once linked with a mega-money move for Longstaff, which shows the high regard that was thought of him only a couple of years ago.
He never quite developed under a struggling Steve Bruce in the time since and has fallen massively down the pecking order under Eddie Howe.
Longstaff has made 15 Premier League appearances this season, including 10 starts but has not featured frequently since Howe’s appointment.
January signings such as Bruno Guimaraes has only weakened his position at the club.
So a change of scenery to West Brom, to go back to working with Bruce, might be the right move for him in his career.
Playing for a side that should be dominating most Championship games will give him much more room to breathe than at a defensive Premier League side.
This move makes sense for all parties involved.
Ben Wignall
The Baggies are lacking in the middle of the park - especially with Jake Livermore's performances declining in quality this season - so this could be a good addition.
Longstaff is a comfortable operator on the ball and he could perhaps form a good partnership with Alex Mowatt in the engine room.
He's a player that Bruce clearly knows very well from his time at the Magpies, but he's not favoured by Eddie Howe and the signing of Bruno Guimaraes will push him down the pecking order long-term.
When he was linked with a mega-money move to Manchester United a few summers ago it would seem unfathomable to think that Longstaff would be being linked with a move to the Championship in 2022.
But that's what is happening and he'd more-than suit a promotion-chasing Championship side and he could probably still be comfortable in a top-flight team too.