Earlier today, The Telegraph reported that Newcastle had agreed a £28m deal to sign Chelsea left-back Lewis Hall, while Sky Sports claim it could be a loan with an obligation to buy next summer.
It’s a move that looked unlikely just a few weeks ago, as the Blues had no intention to sell one of their top young talents and refused to loan him to a top-four rival in Newcastle. However, with a £165m double deal for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia creating a need to balance the books, Chelsea chiefs reluctantly decided to cash in on their academy graduate.
That brought us back into the race, just when Crystal Palace planned to wrap up a loan deal, but the player’s strong links to Newcastle and a certain agency have also played a part in his proposed move.
The 18-year-old is a boyhood Toon fan who comes from a family of Newcastle supporters. His dad, Colin, is a Geordie and his grandad is another life-long fan. Hall’s older brother, Connor – who currently plays for National League side Solihull Moors – has made no secret of his love for NUFC, as he followed an FA Cup goal for Chorley FC with an Alan Shearer celebration two years ago!
Berkshire-born brothers Connor and Lewis would also go to watch Newcastle whenever they played at Reading. The latter has been brought up through the Chelsea academy, but he’s always been a Newcastle fan and jumped at the chance to join Eddie Howe’s Mags as soon as doubts emerged over his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
It’s rarely a deciding factor, but agency links have also aided our pursuit, as Lewis Hall is represented by Wasserman; an agency who enjoy a strong relationship with Newcastle and clients such as Eddie Howe, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livrameto and Harrison Ashby.
As for Dan Ashworth, it’s thought our sporting director has also played a key role and benefitted from his pre-existing relationship with Paul Winstanley; Chelsea’s head of global talent and transfers.
The pair worked together at Brighton – where Winstanley worked as their head of recruitment – and it’s believed both have played central roles during negotiations over the past week. Not only that, Ashworth is well aware of Hall’s capabilities and, like Howe, is a huge admirer of the England youth international, whose represented the Young Lions at U15, U16, U18 and U19 level.
With Hall a boyhood fan eager for first-team opportunities and a taste of Champions League football, Chelsea forced to sell due to FFP, strong agent links in place and Ashworth on good terms with the man overseeing the teenager’s potential sale, it’s been the perfect mix for Newcastle United and deal they didn’t think was possible just a few weeks ago.
