Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has reiterated that Manchester United midfield target Sean Longstaff is not for sale, as the club look to continue rehabilitation on the youngster's knee injury.
Getting Longstaff fit and firing for the season is Bruce's main concern, he said, as United try and prise the 21-year-old away from St James' Park.
MEN Sport understands Longstaff is among the Reds' top midfield targets, but both and boss Bruce - a former United captain - have issued hands-off warnings. Newcastle are thought to value the midfielder - who has made only nine Premier League appearances - at around £50million.
United have less than two weeks to complete signings and also hold an interest in Leicester's Harry Maguire.
"You never want to lose your best young players, and I think we've made it pretty evident that we won't," Bruce told Sky Sports , speaking after his side's 2-1 pre-season defeat to Preston.
"We're concentrating on Sean now, getting his knee right. It's his 10th or 11th training session since he hurt his knee.
"I'll just repeat what the owner said - he's not for sale."
It will come as a blow to United, whose search to sign a midfield replacement for Ander Herrera has so far been largely unsuccessful.
The transfer window closes on August 8 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested he wants two further signings, following the additions of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, by the time the new season gets underway.
