NEWCASTLE are closing in on Chelsea starlet Lewis Hall for £28million.
The highly-rated left-back, 18, only recently signed a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge but the Blues have decided to cash in after splashing £150m on midfielders Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia this week.
Getty ImagesLewis Hall could turn out to be a bargain £28m buy for the Toon[/caption]
Boyhood Toon fan Hall is set to become their fourth summer signing after an agreement was reached, taking the Saudi-funded club’s summer spending to £157m.
Mags boss Eddie Howe claimed last Friday that they “can’t just go and slap money on the table” due to Financial Fair Play concerns.
But they have taken the plunge on a teen they view as a potential superstar for the next decade and could get him on a loan with an obligation to buy next year.
Howe got a first-hand view of Hall’s talent last year with two of his eight Prem starts against Newcastle, including his debut at St James’ Park last November.
Chelsea knocked back previous Magpies bids but are now desperate to balance the books having splurged around £335m this summer.
Blues fans are not happy to see Hall go, with many incredulous at the club’s £30m asking price.
As it turns out, Newcastle have got him for £2m less than that.
The England U21 star, who can also play in midfield, is behind Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen in the pecking order and had looked set to join Crystal Palace on loan.
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He would join Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento in heading for St James’ Park this summer in a spending spree – offset in part by Allan Saint-Maximin’s £30million departure to Al-Ahli – which already amounts to £125m.
Hall’s possible exit comes as Chelsea discuss swapping English anchorman Trevoh Chalobah with Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson.
The Blues were stunned when their top wideman target Michael Olise penned a new four-year contract with Crystal Palace.
And they face a huge snag over Johnson as Chalobah wants a “higher-level club”.
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