Keith Downie shares key new detail about Newcastle’s ‘advanced’ bid to sign Lewis Hall

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Newcastle United appear to be closing in on a deal to sign Lewis Hall from Chelsea, as the Magpies get creative in the transfer market.

Eddie Howe stated last week that he would like one more new signing this summer, following deals for Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento.

However, the Toon boss stressed that the club would need to be creative, which led to speculation over potential loan deals with either an option or obligation to buy.

And it looks like that is exactly what Newcastle are going to do with Hall. It was reported on Thursday that the Magpies have agreed to pay an initial £28million to sign the 18-year-old. However, that will not be until next summer according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie.

Newcastle will initially sign Lewis Hall on loan

Sky Sports journalist Downie has taken to Twitter to provide an update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Hall, stating that the deal is now ‘advanced’.

Interestingly, Downie notes that the move will initially be a loan, before the left-back permanently joins Newcastle in the summer of 2024.

He wrote: “The deal being discussed to take Lewis Hall to Newcastle is an initial loan — with obligation to make permanent next year. £28m deferred fee, plus add-ons. The loan with obligation allows Newcastle to get around FFP restrictions with payment at later date. Advanced talks ongoing.”

Good business from Newcastle

As rumours regarding Hall joining Newcastle intensified on Thursday, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards stated that he had been told on and off the record that the Magpies do not have £30million to spend on a player.

That raised question marks over the deal for Hall. Either it was going to be an initial loan, or the payments were staggered in a way that was affordable for Newcastle.

Sky Sports’ update states that it is the former, with Howe’s side set to borrow Hall for the year before signing him permanently at the end of the season. The main thing is that the deal will include an obligation to buy, so it is only a loan in name.

It is a smart move by Newcastle, who are doing their best to get around financial fair play restrictions.

Sure, we will eventually pay nearly £30million for Hall plus add-ons, but he has the potential to be worth that and more in the future. It is clever business by the club, who are on course to have a really impressive summer transfer window.