Newcastle are likely to sign ‘beautiful’ 19-year-old player on permanent transfer this summer

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Newcastle United are going to have a very busy summer transfer window, but one deal is almost pretty much done.

While the Magpies are targeting three key positions and plan to bring in a forward, a midfielder and a centre-back, they are also probably going to sign a left-back.

That is because Lewis Hall remains very much on course to become a permanent Newcastle United player – despite a rather unsuccessful loan spell from Chelsea.

The youngster joined the Magpies on loan last summer, with the deal including an obligation to buy for £28million if certain performance-related criteria was met.

So far, Hall has struggled to perform in a Newcastle shirt. He has only made 11 appearances, and has not featured since the middle of January.

That has led to some speculation that he might not sign for the club permanently after all, but the Shields Gazette have now explained why the deal is still likely to be completed.

Lewis Hall transfer depends on how Newcastle United perform

According to the Shields Gazette, the performance-related criteria needed to trigger the deal is based on how Newcastle United do in the Premier League, rather than how Hall gets on.

A lot of the time, these deals are based on a player making a certain number of appearances. That was the case when Chris Wood left St James’ Park to move to Nottingham Forest last year.

However, it is not the case with Hall. He could never have played a single minute this season and it sounds like Newcastle would be obliged to sign him if they performed to a certain level.

You have to imagine that the criteria is possibly something like Eddie Howe’s side staying in the Premier League. For instance, they would not want a commitment of £28million hanging over their head if they had been relegated to the Championship.

If that is the case, it just proves that this deal was manufactured in a way to get round the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. Newcastle always wanted Hall permanently, but they have delayed the payments.

It has been a very strange season for the 19-year-old. He can barely get a kick, leading to huge question marks surrounding the decision to bring him in.

But Newcastle still believe he is one for the future, while Howe has been complimentary towards the teenager when asked about him by the media. In November, Howe said Hall is a player with ‘high potential’ and a ‘beautiful’ left-foot.

Hopefully Hall achieves his potential at Newcastle United, as he prepares to become a permanent Toon player in just a few months.