They claim that Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign Lewis Hall, 18, during this transfer window. In fact, Eddie Howe’s side have now made a new bid after failing with previous approaches this summer.
It is explained that Hall initially preferred the idea of joining Crystal Palace on loan, but he’s now favouring a permanent transfer to a new home.
The report mentions that the Blues will demand around £35million to sell the academy graduate, who did grow up a Newcastle fan and is tempted by the lure of Champions League football at St James’ Park.
In our view, Chelsea supporters are going to be pretty upset if Newcastle sign one of their brightest young prospects.
Hall enjoyed a great first-team breakthrough towards the end of last season at Stamford Bridge, proving his quality at first-team level in a left-back position. Interestingly, the technically gifted left-footer is a central midfielder by trade.
It does look like the English teenager’s immediate route into the Chelsea line-up is blocked in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, but selling him is something they could regret further down the line. Newcastle are now considered a direct rival for the top European positions, too.
Pat Nevin previously described Hall as a “special talent”, via Chelsea’s website. His assessment is spot on if you’ve watched himself in the first-team games he’s played.
It’s hard to be too critical of the club when you consider everything they’ve done in the transfer window so far in term of outgoings and incomings. Hall would be a rare one that firmly frustrates supporters, though.
His sale would be pure profit on the balance sheets considering his emergence from the academy.
