Newcastle United set to finalise move for £15m man after transfer window closes
Newcastle United left-back Jamal Lewis is reportedly set for a shock move to Brazil.
The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Watford and had been expected to return to the Championship before the English transfer window closed on Friday. That, however, didn’t materialise and Lewis is joining Brazlian giants Sao Paulo instead, according to UOL.
Lewis re-integrated himself back into Eddie Howe’s squad over pre-season, featuring in friendlies against SpVgg Unterhaching, Hull City and Yokohama F.Marinos. He then played 90 minutes in the final pre-season game against Stade Brestois as Eddie Howe named two different XIs for the Sela weekender.
That was Lewis’ first St James’ Park outing since appearing in Howe’s first victory as Newcastle head coach against Burnley in December 2021. A week later however, he was left out of the squad for the Premier League opening day win against Southampton and following matches away to AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
The defender arrived at St James’ Park from Norwich City in 2020 for £15million and he has since gone on to make 36 competitive appearances for the club. He currently finds himself behind Lewis Hall, Lloyd Kelly and Matt Targett in the pecking order,
Lewis’ loan move to Watford had an option to buy clause, one that the Hornets decided against activating. He is poised to arrive in Brazil on Sunday to finalise his switch, as per the source above.