Newcastle have already lost two key players this summer, and more could follow…
Newcastle United could be set for more heartache this summer as another key player could follow Eddie Howe out the door at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s shock departure from Newcastle was confirmed on Thursday morning after their humiliating 4-1 pre-season defeat to Bristol City.
The Englishman was appointed in November 2021, succeeding Steve Bruce when Newcastle were 19th in the Premier League, shortly after a consortium led by PIF completed its takeover of the club.
Howe achieved incredible success in the North East and ended their 70-year trophy drought in 2025 with a Carabao Cup triumph, while leading them into the Champions League twice.
According to Ben Jacobs, the 48-year-old informed Newcastle’s hierarchy he wanted to leave several weeks ago but agreed to stay on until a replacement was found.
Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle appears to be the Magpies’ top target to replace Howe, and he currently works for a club also majority-owned by the PIF.
Jaissle is an unknown quantity to those in the Premier League, but what isn’t unknown is that Howe’s exit was fuelled in part by multiple high-profile exits.
Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70 million before Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham for a whopping £92.5 million.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes is also pushing to join Arsenal, and the Brazilian isn’t the only player potentially heading for the exit door as their mass exodus continues.
Man United are weighing up a move for Lewis Hall
Newcastle have signed four players this summer who are all aged 20 and under, including Bazoumana Traore, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen.
But while it appears the Toon are building for the future, they could lose someone who should be a huge part of that.
According to The Sun, Manchester United are looking to take advantage of their dire situation by prising left-back Lewis Hall to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are reportedly weighing up a move for the 21-year-old and see him as a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw.
Luckhurst does state that the defender could stay at St James’ Park depending on who replaces Howe, but an added complication is that Newcastle haven’t sold a player to United since Andy Cole’s then-British record £7m move in January 1995.
While that could prove to be a major stumbling block, United’s admiration for Hall is well documented, and his performances in the Premier League last season only strengthened their interest.
Hall made 46 appearances in all competitions, including 10 outings in the Champions League, as he firmly established himself as one of Europe’s most promising left-backs.
The Slough-born defender was unfortunate to miss out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, with the German selecting the likes of Djed Spence and Dan Burn ahead of him.
A modern, progressive full-back, Hall is technically secure with the ball at his feet, aggressive out of possession and a strong runner.
Hall would be a huge upgrade on Shaw, while United are also prepared to cash in on teenage left-back Harry Amass for just £6 million.