It is fair to say that Newcastle United hit the jackpot when they signed left-back Lewis Hall from Chelsea for a fee of £28m in the summer of 2024.
The Magpies initially signed the English defender on loan for the 2023/24 campaign before signing him permanently, and he has emerged as a star player on Tyneside.
He failed to establish himself as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge, playing 12 first-team games for the Blues, which allowed Newcastle to snap him up.
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall in action with FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo and Lamine Yamal
Chelsea may live to regret their decision to cash in on the defender because of his form for the Magpies in the Premier League so far this season.
Hall has averaged 2.9 tackles per game, winning 57% of his duels, and created four 'big chances' for his team in the top-flight, earning four caps for England in the process.
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The left-footed star's success at St. James' Park is further evidence that there is serious potential in signing young and unproven talent from the big six clubs in the division.
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Because of the nature of football at the top level, talented young players can sometimes struggle for game time because of how many big-money signings the likes of Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool make that end up blocking pathways for academy gems.
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle United are looking to explore that market once again with interest in a deal to sign Rico Lewis from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Magpies want to bolster their options at the back for Eddie Howe, following the news that Kieran Trippier will leave at the end of his contract this year.
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It adds that Lewis is one of the players on the club's radar as they look to find a suitable replacement for the former Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur star.
Chronicle Live states that City are likely to want a fee in excess of £30m for the England international.
Why Rico Lewis would be a Lewis Hall repeat for Newcastle
If the Magpies can agree a deal with Pep Guardiola's side to bring the versatile full-back to St. James' Park this summer, Lewis could be a Hall repeat for the club.
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As Hall did during his time at Chelsea, Lewis has failed to nail down a place as a regular starter at The Etihad, starting three of his ten appearances in the Premier League this season.
The 21-year-old talent has only played 21 matches in all competitions for City, after making 43 appearances last season, and that has opened the door for him to explore a move away from Manchester.
Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly celebrates scoring their eighth goal with Rico Lewis and Rayan Cherki
In the 2024/25 campaign, Lewis played in 28 of the club's 38 Premier League matches and showed great potential in the right-back and left-back positions, before City decided to sign Ait-Nouri and promoted Nico O'Reilly as a first-team regular this term.
If you compare the 21-year-old star's performances for City in the top-flight last season, when he played regular minutes, to Trippier's form in the current campaign, the £30m-rated talent looks like he could be an upgrade for Howe.
Premier League Lewis (24/25) Trippier (25/26)
Appearances 28 18
Goals 1 0
Assists 2 1
Tackles made per game 1.1 1.3
Interceptions per game 0.4 0.5
Dribbled past per game 0.3x 1.4x
Ground duel success rate 59% 43%
Trippier is averaging marginally more tackles and interceptions per game, but he is getting dribbled past almost five times more per match on average than Lewis did last season.
These statistics suggest that the City youngster, hailed as a “serious talent” by football statistician Statman Dave, would offer more defensive stability, as he is not as prone to being dribbled past by opposition wingers, whilst also offering a greater threat with the ball at his feet.
Manchester City's Rico Lewis
Lewis, who has scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 112 appearances for City, may not be getting many minutes in the current campaign, but his form last year shows that he is more than capable of being an impressive Premier League performer.
As was the case with Hall, Newcastle can take advantage of Lewis' lack of minutes this term to swoop in and sign him for a fee in the region of £30m, which is similar to the £28m that they paid Chelsea for their left-back.
It is now down to the club, though, to agree a deal with Manchester City to sign the five-cap England international to be their successor to Trippier at right-back.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the match Related
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Newcastle United have a huge summer ahead of them, especially if they are to reach the next level.