Newcastle United appear to have completed their summer spending with a deal for Lewis Hall, but it was certainly a complicated transfer.
The Magpies have signed Hall on loan from Chelsea for the 2023/24 season, before joining the club permanently next summer in a deal worth an initial £28million.
Eddie Howe has got the left-back he has been craving, and it is another young talent to add to his exciting and youthful squad. The Toon boss has stacks of his potential in his team, which is very good for the future.
For a long time, it did not look like a deal for Hall would be possible. Chelsea did not want to sell the teenager, while Newcastle did not have the funds to tempt them to change their mind. But change their mind they did, with the Blues suddenly needing to cash in following the big money arrivals of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
On top of that, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shared another detail that helped Newcastle get their man.
Lewis Hall really wanted to sign for Newcastle
Romano has written about Hall’s move from Chelsea to Newcastle United in his latest column for Caught Offside.
“I’m aware about reports that some figures inside Chelsea weren’t happy with the Lewis Hall exit,” he wrote.
“Still, this is football – it’s impossible to sign 15 players and not sell anyone.
“Sometimes if you produce many talents you have to make some choices and also… some money, for Financial Fair Play. Also, the player insisted to join Newcastle, so it was the best option for all parties.”
Newcastle a very appealing destination for Hall
Given his family ties to the club, it is no surprise that Hall wanted to leave Chelsea for Newcastle. His family are Geordies, and are now going to watch Hall play for his boyhood club.
On top of that, Hall has expressed how much Eddie Howe influenced his decision to sign for the Magpies. The chance to work with a manager like him is very appealing, especially given the amount of players he has improved since becoming Toon boss.
It is really encouraging that Hall actually pushed for the move, as it just highlights how much pull we suddenly have. He has left the club that everyone seems to be joining to sign for Newcastle United.
This comes in the same summer that we got an Italy international from AC Milan and stopped Chelsea from re-signing one of their former youth stars.
It has been a very successful summer for Newcastle, that is for sure.