Newcastle United looking to secure major post-deadline-day deal after Manchester United snub
Newcastle United transfers: Lewis Hall was reportedly a top target for Manchester United throughout the summer transfer window.
Lewis Hall didn’t come close to leaving Newcastle United this summer despite regular noise and speculation regarding Manchester United.
The Red Devils are interested in the left-back, a position they have needed to strengthen. And who wouldn’t be interested in arguably the best young left-back in the Premier League?
The noise intensified after Hall missed out on an England World Cup spot, with a report in The Sun, which was later amended, claiming the defender blamed former Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe for his omission and would seek a swift exit from St James’ Park as a result. Hall, unsurprisingly, wasn’t happy and was questioning why he missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s squad despite a strong individual campaign.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
But unlike some of his former Newcastle teammates, Hall never pushed to leave his boyhood club during the summer window. Although Newcastle had a strong stance that Bruno Guimaraes was ‘not for sale’, a departure was not categorically ruled out, and the midfielder eventually joined Arsenal for £75million.
The message regarding Hall was different. It was stronger. Not only was the full-back not for sale, but senior sources at the club insisted that he was ‘going nowhere’.
When journalists spotted Hall training alone at La Manga during the height of the Manchester United speculation, a Newcastle director intervened to state that there was no chance of the player leaving during the transfer window.
That message was echoed by head coach Matthias Jaissle on live television when former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel teased Jaissle about Hall making the switch to Old Trafford.
The links to Man United continued up until the transfer deadline, with claims of a last-gasp £75million push laughed off. But the interest remains, and the Red Devils still have plenty of pull financially and in terms of status.
As such, Newcastle will now look to secure Hall to a new long-term contract at St James’ Park. Hall is understood to have three years left on his current deal, but his progress into one of Newcastle’s key players could see him rewarded.