Eddie Howe claims Newcastle United are 'getting closer' to sealing £28m summer transfer deal

Eddie Howe says Lewis Hall is "getting closer" to turning his loan at Newcastle United into a permanent switch this summer.

The Magpies have an obligation to buy Hall for £28million plus £7m in add-ons if certain performance-related criteria is met. While the exact details are not known, Howe said: "I think he’s getting closer every game. While I’m not on top of that on a daily basis, I’m sure he’s very close.”

Hall has made just 11 appearances for United having last started a game in November - the 2-0 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth. In the five matches the 19-year-old has started, he has only once played longer than 45 minutes and that was when he scored in the 3-0 win at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. The England under-20s international has also been an unused substitute in past five matches.

Asked if Newcastle can afford to commit £28m of their summer budget to signing Hall amid Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules, Howe replied: "He is near the first team. I think a broader look is that every transfer we make is so important because we don't have an endless amount of money to spend. Financial Fair Play will restrict us not just now but in the future.

"Every decision we make we have to try and get right, and you are never going to do that in the transfer market. There will always be mistakes. I am not really speaking about Lewis here, I am speaking generally about every transfer we bring in."