Newcastle midfielder Matty Longstaff is set to join Mansfield Town on loan just six months after being linked with a move to Nottingham Forest.
It has been confirmed in the last hour that Longstaff will link up with Nigel Clough for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.
Longstaff endured a pretty torrid time at Aberdeen during the first half of the season. He made just five appearances and was subsequently sent back to Newcastle.
The 21-year-old was linked with a move to Forest in the summer. He was touted as a possible alternative to James Garner should that particular move fail to come off.
Longstaff has been in and around the first-team squad at St James’ Park previously. He has made 20 appearances for the Magpies and during the 2019/20 season, he scored twice against Manchester United.
The 2020/21 campaign was a real struggle for the younger of the Longstaff brothers. Steve Bruce never truly fancied him and he managed just five appearances for the club.
That prompted Forest to make a play to sign the Newcastle man. Instead, Garner was added for a second stint and Longstaff headed north of the border.
His loan spell at Aberdeen highlighted a player down on his luck and he’s in need of a confidence boost.
Spirits are sky high at Mansfield right now. The current crop scaled new heights on Saturday, winning for the eighth time in succession and etching their names into the history books.
The Stags have won 11 of their last 12 games and look on course for a crack at claiming an automatic promotion spot this season.
Forest legend Clough set for Longstaff coup
This is, without doubt, a masterclass of epic proportions from CEO David Sharpe and Clough.
Longstaff boasts Premier League experience and should provide Mansfield with an injection of quality through the middle of the pitch.
- DEPARTURE: Forest announce exit
It will be interesting to see who drops out though. Stephen Quinn has provided the experience, with Ryan Stirk, George Maris and Ollie Clarke have all showing their class in recent weeks.
Longstaff won’t be signing to sit on the bench, however, and this looks like a signing that Mansfield fans will be excited about.
Former Forest striker Clough might just hit the jackpot with this extraordinary signing.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
