Newcastle United medical underway as Chelsea star arrives at training ground — loan deal imminent

Lewis Hall has arrived at Newcastle United’s training ground to finalise his move to Newcastle United.

The left-back is set to join the Magpies on an initial season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer. The fee is £28million plus £7m in performance-related add-ons.

Speaking at his pre-Manchester City press conference this morning, Eddie Howe all-but confirmed the imminent signing when asked about Hall’s potential arrival.

“Let’s wait and see what happens today,” Howe said. “He’s a player that I like, very versatile and really good potential.”

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

The Magpies’ head coach then added: “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.”

Newcastle have previously approached Chelsea over signing Connor Gallagher in January but the West London club refused to do business. When asked if he was surprised that the Blues had change their mindset, Howe replied: “I’m not sure Chelsea necessarily see it that way.

“They have their own decisions to make and have obviously made a decision or potentially made a decision, until the deal is done it’s difficult to say.

“They’ve made a decision in their best interest and we’ve made a decision in our best interest.”

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.

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.