'Not 100% sure' - Newcastle United transfer bombshell as doubt cast over £28m Chelsea deal

Eddie Howe could not confirm if Lewis Hall will be a Newcastle United player next season.

The 19-year-old joined the Magpies on a season-long deal from Chelsea in the summer. There is an obligation for the move to be made permanent for £28million plus £7m in add-ons if certain performance-related criteria is met.

The expectation is that Hall will remain at St James' Park next season but given his lack of game, which has resulted in just four starts, has led to questions over his future.

Asked if the criteria had already been triggered, Howe said: "You’re probably asking the wrong man, I’m not 100 per cent sure."

Howe was then asked directly "do you expect him to be a Newcastle United player permanently?". There was a short silence but Newcastle's head of media replied: "We'll come back to you."

Will it be Howe's decision to keep Hall, or will it be dictated by finances?

"It’s not mine. For me, he’s here now, he’s a Newcastle player. But I think there’s certain criteria he has to meet."

Hall, an England under-20s international, has made six appearances in total. Four of the starts he has made has resulted in the full-back being withdrawn at half-time.

"Lewis is a really talented player," said Howe. "He has huge technical qualities. He is creative and has very good final delivery. He’s a really good attacking full-back. He’s got certain things to learn defensively, which we’re working on with him.

"But he’s a young age and also recently converted to a left-back. There needs to be a little bit of understanding that he may take a little bit of time to get the defensive solidity that we’re looking for, but he’s a player of such high promise."

With Kieran Trippier suspended for Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Fulham, Hall could start at left-back with Tino Livramento set to switch sides. Howe, however, also has Dan Burn back from injury.