As Newcastle United fans await the announcement of Lewis Hall’s arrival from Chelsea, the deal will most certainly end the Magpies’ interest in another couple of players.
Kieran Tierney is expected to leave Arsenal still, but he surely will not be on his way to St James’ Park. And neither will Marc Cucurella, who was another left-back that Newcastle looked at.
The Spaniard is a player who the Magpies considered signing on loan with an option or an obligation to buy, with Chelsea keen to get rid.
It feels like Newcastle’s interest has been led by Dan Ashworth, who is said to ‘love’ the 25-year-old. He was the one who brought him to Brighton, after all.
However, wages surely would have been an issue for Newcastle, and now Eddie Howe is getting Hall instead. The 18-year-old is the player who Howe really wanted, and he is set to get his wish.
It is excellent news for Newcastle, but less so for Chelsea.
Chelsea frustrated that Marc Cucurella is still at the club
According to the Athletic, there is some frustration at Chelsea that Cucurella is still at the club.
He only joined the Blues last summer, but has been a massive disappointment since his £62million move from Brighton.
That is why they are keen to get rid, and perhaps his availability was the main reason Newcastle were keen.
But for all of Chelsea’s frustrations, Newcastle will not be doing them a favour. Instead of signing their deadwood, we are getting an immensely talented player from their academy who they will likely regret letting go.
All the while, Cucurella remains at Stamford Bridge.
With less than two weeks to go in the summer transfer window, it will be interesting to see if the defender does leave Chelsea. But if he does leave, it will certainly not be to sign for Newcastle – and that is probably for the best.
While Cucurella is probably a better player right now and has more experience, snapping up Hall is a much better use of Newcastle’s limited funds.
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