Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United loan deal as Chelsea star nears St James’ Park move

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed his interest in Chelsea left-back Lewis Hall - and revealed a potential transfer will be a loan.

The Magpies are in advanced talks over Hall, a deal that is expected to be an initial season-long loan with a £28million obligation to buy next summer.

“Let’s wait and see what happens today,” Howe told reporters ahead of Saturday night’s Premier League trip to Manchester City. “He’s a player I like. Very versatile and has really good potential.”

When asked if it would a loan deal. Howe replied: “Yes, I think it is.”

Having spent a British record £115m on Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo - taking Chelsea’s spending under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital led consortium to £900m - the West London club need to raise funds in order to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.

Newcastle themselves have spent around £130m on signing Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento this summer. If and when the Hall deal is completed, that is set to signal an end to the club’s summer transfer business.

Howe said: “I think if we were able to bring a player in that would be our transfer business concluded unless there were injuries within our own players.”

The England youth international featured 11 times for Chelsea last season and started both Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, where he was named The Blues’ player of the match in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge back in May.

Last month, Hall fuelled talk of a potential move to St James’ Park when he followed Newcastle United and players such as Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson on Instagram. He does have connections to Newcastle. His brother Connor, who plays for National League side Solihull Moors, is a self-proclaimed Magpies fan.