Steve Bruce suggested that he hopes to build his Newcastle United team around Sean Longstaff, and dismissed suggestions that the midfielder is on his way to Manchester United .
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as a potential replacement for Ander Herrera, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer.
But Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodwood was left shocked when the Magpies demanded £50million for the midfielder, who has only played 13 senior games for the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his transfer team are said to value Longstaff at closer to £20million, and it remains to be seen whether a compromise deal can be struck in the coming weeks as United look to make him their third summer signing, following the arrivals of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But Bruce - who joined his boyhood club Newcastle this week having resigned as Sheffield Wednesday boss - sent a strong message over Longstaff's future.
“He’s a player we want to keep, he’s had a remarkable rise," he told the Newcastle Chronicle.
“He is everything you would want in a player, big and athletic and he handles the ball well.
“We’ve got to be mindful of the fact he’s had a nasty injury, we’ve got to nurture him through pre-season so he is ready for Arsenal.
"He’s the type of player you want to build your team around, I’ve only seen him for a day, but he has had an unbelievable rise," said Bruce in Shanghai, where Newcastle are taking on West Ham in the third-place playoff at the Premier League Asia Trophy.
"Very much reminds me of a Michael Carrick. I’m not aware that he’s going to United, I’m not aware of that at all."
Bruce also sent a message to angry Sheffield Wednesday fans following his departure from Hillsborough.
"I can understand the disappointment," he said.
"I enjoyed the three or four, five months I worked there.
"But I'd like to put it out there that a manager's contract can be terminated.
"It is what it is and it applies when a manager wants to leave."
