The defender has been on loan at Newcastle but will make a permanent switch to the club this summer.
Newcastle United will shortly acquire Chelsea loanee Lewis Hall and sign him on a permanent basis, according to manager Eddie Howe, who told reporters during Friday’s pre-game press conference without disclosing any specifics about the terms of the transfer.
Hall joined NUFC last summer on a loan arrangement, but it was envisaged that the deal would be converted into a full transfer by the conclusion of the season, with the loan serving as a payment-delaying mechanism to prevent financial difficulties while adhering to FFP guidelines.
Football expert Fabrizio Romano corroborated Howe’s statement a day after the coach talked to press, reiterating Hall’s permanent move to Newcastle for €30 million or more ahead of next season.
⚫️⚪️ Lewis Hall's loan to Newcastle will become permanent soon, as it's just considered matter of time.
Chelsea have no doubts on receiving £30m fee as profit for Financial Fair Play; Newcastle consider Hall one for long term, as Howe confirmed. pic.twitter.com/QKwKFkhfFF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2024
Howe emphasized Hall’s value to his club as a player bought last summer with the future in mind, as evidenced by his limited usage this year (he’s only participated in nine games across the Premier League and Champions League, collecting 156 minutes).
“In terms of my thinking, I’m preparing for Lewis to be at Newcastle for many years,” he stated. “I don’t think (the criterion for the loan to become a full transfer) has transpired yet, but hopefully, it will do very soon”.
The initial agreement for Hall’s transfer included a must-buy clause that Newcastle may trigger at the end of the season for about €30 million. While the circumstances for triggering the clause were never revealed, they were most likely of the low-level, easily-achievable sort, allowing Chelsea to ensure the sale of their player next summer while collecting the previously agreed-upon money.
When asked about progress toward completing the criteria, Howe admitted that the prerequisites had not been completed, but he expressed hope for a resolution in the near future, implying that those elements are likely related to playing time.
Newcastle still has more than ten Premier League games left on their calendar, which should be ample time for Hall to make a few more appearances and increase his minute total from now until May, when the clause is activated and he becomes a full-fledged Magpie.
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