Lewis Hall’s transfer from Chelsea to Newcastle United has yet to become permanent — but Eddie Howe envisions the left-back being at the Tyneside club “for many years”.
Newcastle brought the 19-year-old in on an initial loan deal last summer, which contains an obligation to buy for around £28million ($35.9m) if certain conditions are met.
Those terms have never been disclosed publicly and Hall has made only four starts for the club, playing for just 12 minutes in 2024 across two substitute appearances, but Howe expects a permanent deal to be concluded.
“In terms of my thinking, I’m preparing for Lewis to be at Newcastle for many years,” Howe said at his pre-Chelsea press conference when asked what Hall’s situation is. “He was always brought in with a long-term view, not as a short-term signing. He is a long-term signing.
“We have always believed in him and his quality and we have been working really hard with him on his game. He’s a really talented lad. He’s got a couple of things to continue working on as all the players have. I believe in him. My vision for him is he will be at Newcastle for many years.”
Pushed as to whether the criteria to turn the deal into a permanent move has been reached yet, Howe replied: “I don’t think has quite happened yet but hopefully it will do very soon.”
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The Newcastle head coach would not confirm what still needed to happen for Hall’s transfer to be concluded but did reiterate that he sees the left-back staying in the north east beyond the summer.
“Yes, I think so, and that’s why I said I’m preparing long-term for him to be here,” Howe said. “I’m delighted with that because he has many qualities we are looking for.
“Sometimes, and I know it’s a rare commodity these days, we just need some patience. We just need to wait to develop players. There’s no magic wand, but time and good work on the training pitch. Players develop at different speeds, but we’re delighted with the progress he’s made.
“When you look at someone of that age moving away from home — regardless of the fact they’re a footballer — you can’t underestimate the challenges that come with that. He’s handled himself really well and it’s been a season of growth for him although the external view would not necessarily have seen that.
“We have seen that internally so it’s been a really powerful, positive year for him. A lot of work has been put into him and I do believe in him long-term.”
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