Newcastle United consider hijacking Premier League move as six-year contract ‘agreed’

Newcastle United are exploring a move for Chelsea left-back Lewis Hall, despite suggestions he’s set to join another Premier League club.

The Evening Standard reported on August 10 that Hall was in line to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan after agreeing a new six-year contract at Stamford Bridge. However, neither has been made official yet and according to the Daily Mail, Newcastle are looking into signing the 18-year-old.

Having spent around £130million on signing Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento this summer, head coach Eddie Howe has revealed the Magpies’ need to be “creative” in order to stay within their Financial Fair Play limit.

“Personally, I’d love one more player and then I think we’d have the ideal depth at this moment with the injuries that we currently have,” Howe said prior to the club’s 5-1 opening day Premier League win over Aston Villa. “But, let’s wait and see.

“I think we may have to be creative with this last player. It’s difficult to make that a definite because again it would depends on injuries between now and the window shutting.”

Asked what the term “creative” means, Howe replied: “I’m not sure! It means that we can’t just go out and slap money on the table and buy a player.

“We don’t have the resources to do that at the moment due to Financial Fair Play restrictions. It’s about trying to find a different way, rather than paying money in the here and now.”

Hall 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.

Newcastle are also open to signing a right-sided central defender but the current focus is on a left-back as Howe looks to bring competition to Dan Burn and Matt Targett’s door.

United have reportedly discussed potential moves for Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella on a season-long deal that would include an option or obligation to buy next summer.