Manchester United are still trying to turn Lewis Hall into their left-back answer, but Newcastle have told them he is not for sale. United are still trying to agree personal terms with Hall through his representatives, while one valuation has put him at more than £60 million. Ben Jacobs also said a late deal would likely need far more than the figures already being discussed.

Newcastle's stance

The hard part is not United's interest. It is Newcastle's refusal to move. Sam Cohen reported that Newcastle are in talks with Hall over a new contract, and that the club have also offered him a role in their leadership team under Matthias Jaissle.

Jacobs' view was clear on the player side of the equation. Speaking to football365.com, he said: "If Man United, today, agreed a club-to-club fee with Newcastle United, Hall would want the move." He added that "£75 million or more" would be required now, with £45m, £55m and £60m not enough so late in the window.

That leaves United needing a breakthrough on fee and terms, not just another round of interest.

United's left-back need

The chase makes more sense when set against United's own squad issue. Luke Shaw is their only senior left-back after Patrick Dorgu has been pushed further up the pitch. Shaw has only one Premier League appearance this season and 90 league minutes, which is thin cover for a club trying to keep its window moving.

United's spending elsewhere shows they are still prepared to act. Carlos Baleba has been reported at £65 million plus £5 million in add-ons, so there is money being committed in the same market. But Hall is a different kind of deal because Newcastle are resisting it, and the price talk is rising rather than falling.

United finished 3rd last season, and the pressure to add depth has only grown from there. The next step is whether Newcastle soften their stance before the window closes, with Hall still tied to Newcastle and United still pressing through his camp.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →