Lewis Hall update - The word from inside St James' Park with Chelsea deal in place

According to Mark Douglas at iNews, Newcastle United look set to sign Lewis Hall on a permanent deal this summer, despite his complete lack of game time this season.

He reports that the terms of last summer's loan-to-buy agreement mean the 19-year-old is 'almost certain' to join permanently from Chelsea, with Newcastle committed to a £30m investment.

Douglas states that club insiders insist he remains a 'long-term investment.’ He could even be loaned out next term in order to improve his experience and resilience after a difficult season.

However, concerns are fair when he's not played more than 45 minutes in a single game since November, managing just 12 minutes of Premier League football since the turn of the year. The fact Joe White - who had spent the first half the season on loan in League Two - and 34-year-old Matt Ritchie were subbed on ahead of him in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth also felt telling.

But the club 'still have faith that he will come good' and see him as a work in progress, with Newcastle hopeful that he and Tino Livramento will be future stars at St James' Park and astute long-term investments.