Newcastle United are hoping to sign Lewis Hall from Chelsea, and appear to be closing in on a deal.
The Magpies are trying to agree a loan with an obligation to buy, with Eddie Howe’s side set to pay £28million for the youngster next summer.
It will be a great bit of business if Newcastle can get a deal over the line, and evidence of the club being creative in the transfer market.
If he does arrive, it will mean Newcastle have made four senior signings, with Hall joining Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento at St James’ Park. There was also a deal for Yankuba Minteh, who was immediately loaned out to Feyenoord.
It has been a very busy and fruitful summer for Newcastle, who are squeezing every penny they can out of their budget.
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Newcastle unlikely to sign anyone else after Lewis Hall
There are two weeks to go in the summer transfer window, meaning Newcastle still have time to do another deal. However, that does not mean that they will.
According to the Northern Echo, the deal for Hall will ‘almost certainly’ be the Magpies’ last signing of the summer.
The club will then turn their attention to outgoings, with Newcastle still having multiple players who they need to get off the books.
The likes of Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick are still under contract at St James’ Park, but have no role to play under Howe. Getting them off the wage bill will become even more of a priority.
In terms of incomings, it looks like Hall will be our last. If that is the case, it has to be viewed as a very successful summer. The squad has improved, and will improve even further when Livramento and Hall truly start to kick on in black and white.