Insider reveals new information about Lewis Hall transfer to Newcastle

In a recent Q&A over The Athletic, Newcastle beat reporter Chris Waugh answered a few questions related to the club and the home stretch of the season.

One reader asked Waugh if adding a “permanent-buy clause“ to the deal with Chelsea for defender Lewis Hall was a mistake, mostly because of Newcastle’s “tight” PSR position.

To that, Waugh explained that it’s s till early to come up with a definitive answer.

“It is difficult for me to say categorically one way or the other whether it was a “mistake”, per se, as Hall is still only 19 and Newcastle do still genuinely believe he has all the attributes to develop into an England international left-back,” Waugh wrote.

“However, your question relates more to short/medium-term problems that Newcastle have faced and, in that context, it is arguably the most questionable deal from last summer.”

As Waugh describes, Newcastle is (and forever will be unless the rules change in a rather shocking way) tied to financial constraints that don’t allow them to flex their economic muscle in full even though they are operating under the ownership of PIF and its endless amounts of money.

“Hall is inexperienced at the top level, especially as a full-back, given he is transitioning to that position from midfield, and it would be a stretch to suggest he has significantly improved the left-hand side of Newcastle’s defense,” Waugh said trying to explain Hall’s situation within NUFC and what to expect from him now and going forward.

“Essentially, Hall’s defensive positioning and understanding is what Newcastle have been trying to improve, and his lack of game time in that position throughout youth level has been exposed somewhat.”

What Newcastle was paying for in acquiring Hall was simply potential on the cheap. Instead of buying a bonafide, legitimate top-tier player already developed, they opted to purchase a cheaper, younger player still to blossom into the final and best version of himself.

“Nobody among the coaching staff would describe signing Hall as a ‘mistake’, but they would admit that he requires the greatest work to develop into a top-class player,” as Waugh put it. “Ahead of a complicated summer, during which Newcastle’s constraints regarding compiling with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) will significantly limit them once more, it does feel damaging that a significant sum is going out for a player who is not yet guaranteed a first-team position.”

Obviously, the move came with risks and so far it’s fair to say that Newcastle has vastly overpaid for a raw player. Considering how volatile developing a football is, it’s reasonable to find people doubting the Magpies’ business in this deal.

Waugh also revealed that the “full extent of what needs to be triggered” in order for Hall to become a full-time player for Newcastle (he’s been loaned for the season by Chelsea) has “never been confirmed by either club.”

The reporter, however, also wrote that according to his understanding, the clause “is related to Newcastle’s final Premier League position as well as to do with Hall being named in a specific number of squads.”

Waugh also revealed that the criteria “is believed to have been met” already, and all the parties involved “foresee the player being on Tyneside next season.”