The message has been clear from Newcastle United - Lewis Hall is going nowhere this summer.
Newcastle United remain adamant that Lewis Hall is not for sale this summer amid reported Manchester United interest.
Toon fans can be forgiven for thinking they have heard this line before. The same stance was taken on Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes before their respective moves.
However, there is a defiance at St James’ Park that Hall - a boyhood supporter - is not on the market. Man United pundits, journalists and social media personalities have ramped up speculation regarding the England international all summer.
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The Red Devils are in the market for a left-back to give Michael Carrick reinforcements ahead of a Champions League campaign. Talk of a £60million move for Hall has materialised, with bizarre claims earlier in the window suggesting he had fallen out with former boss Eddie Howe - which proved untrue.
Amar Dedic joining Newcastle on Tuesday has escalated the suggestions that Man United now have a clear path for Hall. But the Magpies were desperate for a full-back after losing Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett.
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Sources at Newcastle are adamant that the club will not entertain any offers at this stage of the window. Matthias Jaissle rates Hall highly and views him as integral to his Toon rebuild.
The focus on Tyneside is incomings to give Jaissle the tools for a successful season. As it stands, a midfielder to replace Guimaraes is the top priority, with several potential targets shortlisted.
It would not make financial sense for Newcastle to offload another high-profile star this summer. Shifting £250million worth of talent has given the Magpies sufficient headroom ahead of the upcoming three-year cycle.
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