Lewis Hall’s arrival from Chelsea is likely to signal an end to Newcastle United summer transfer business.
Newcastle United have likely concluded their summer transfer business with the signing of Lewis Hall from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
After the left-back travelled to Tyneside on Friday to undergo his medical and finalise his season-long loan, which includes an obligation to buy of £28million plus £7m add-ons next summer, the Magpies officially announced his arrival on Tuesday morning.
A boyhood Newcastle fan, Hall will wear the No.20 shirt. The 18-year-old made 12 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions last season and started both Premier League fixtures against United, where he was named The Blues’ player of the match in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge back in May.
Hall was also named the Blues’ Academy Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season – just two years after Tino Livramento picked up the same accolade – and has represented England at youth level.
“I’m delighted to welcome Lewis to Newcastle United,” said United head coach Eddie Howe. “He is a player we have tracked closely, as have a number of clubs, so it’s very pleasing to secure him and to add a player of his quality, versatility and high potential to our squad.”
Newcastle’s fifth and final signing?
In the same press release, Howe, perhaps tellingly, went on to thank the club’s recruitment team for their work during the transfer market having said on Friday that Hall’s arrival would likely be the last this summer.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their tireless work to bring in the players we have,” said Howe. A lot of time, effort and resource goes into a transfer window, but we have a real togetherness at all levels here and I appreciate that teamwork and support.”
The Magpies have needed to box clever this summer in order to stay within Financial Fair Play restrictions, hence why Hall is essentially a pay-later deal.
Although 18-year-old Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh was technically Newcastle’s first summer signing, his loan move to Feyenoord meant Sandro Tonali was the club’s first senior addition.
The Italian’s £52m arrival from AC Milan forced United to offload fans’ favourite Allan Saint-Maximin to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, which provided the extra cash to secure moves for Harvey Barnes from Leicester City and Tino Livramento from Southampton.
In total, Newcastle have spent around £130m and that’s set to be that until January at least, unless there are injuries or opportunities to structure deals similar to Hall.