It is a case of what could be for Lewis Hall but what might have been for the club's former captain
Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall in Newcastle United's 2026/27 away kit
Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall model Newcastle United's 2026/27 away kit
Newcastle United are close to announcing a new contract with Lewis Hall as months of uncertainty look set to come to an end.
It probably won't stop people linking him with Manchester United, but in getting Hall to make a longer commitment, it will underline the fact that Newcastle aren't just selling stars and buying younger replacements. In tying Hall down to a deal until 2031 it shows that retaining top players is also part of the PIF-backed project.
An outside glance at sales for Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes suggested that Newcastle were happy to just plunder through big money departures last summer. But all wasn't as it seemed from outside the four walls of the KNOX, and the truth is, Bruno wasn't on the list of those expected to leave.
Before the World Cup, Newcastle did not hesitate to use Bruno in the adverts for the new kit, with the Brazil star front and centre of the campaign to drive shirt sales. CEO David Hopkinson told Arsenal to back off early in the window, and once Bruno made it clear he didn't want to be here, the inevitable unfolded.
Putting aside the fact that Bruno's role at Arsenal appears to one of a back-up player under Mikel Arteta, the big stage at St James' Park STILL offers top stars to shine brightly. That would appear to have been sold to the ex-Chelsea youngster Hall.
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At one stage, there were fears for Hall too, not least in the direct aftermath of the left-back being left out of the England World Cup squad. Rumours of a row with Eddie Howe then exploded and gained column inches before sources close to the backroom team insisted that it was Newcastle staff who had managed to get him in contention for the tournament, not denied him an opportunity in the United States.
Nevertheless, once the dust had settled, Hall returned to pre-season training and got on with his work amid those links with Man United. Only Bruno wouldn't be joining him, and once his £75m move to Arsenal went through, fears about Hall continued to grow.
The duo were both deemed Newcastle's main Adidas poster boys going into the 2026/27 season, before those plans had to be ripped up, after Bruno essentially handed in a transfer request. The plan was to sit down with Bruno's people again in autumn to discuss possibilities on a new deal, and those talks could have even been accelerated, but during a showdown in La Manga, it was swiftly concluded there was no point trying to persuade somebody to stay who couldn't see the project's potential.
Would Hall see it any differently? Enter Matthias Jaissle, the no-nonsense German head coach who has developed an excellent rapport with players he'd inherited on Tyneside, with Hall one of those he has convinced he can make even better.
Despite the continued links with Man United, still going on despite a contract being processed, Hall's form has been excellent at the start of the season.
Two assists from the Newcastle man and his role in an unbeaten start to the season under Jaissle suggest he will walk straight back into the England squad for games at Wembley against Spain and a clash in Prague against Czechia in the UEFA Nations League.
Signing a new deal will reduce the noise from the Man United end, but Hall is focused on life on Tyneside and happy with his contract. As Barcelona, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool, with Alexander Isak, found out there is no bargain basket at Newcastle.
The new deal protects their asset and also gives Hall the challenge of reaching even higher levels of consistency under Jaissle.