Why Chelsea are getting ready to cash in on £24m Newcastle flop Lewis Hall - explained

The 19-year-old joined the St James' Park team on loan last summer, but the deal will become permanent if certain conditions are met this season. If Newcastle finish higher than 15th in the Premier League table, they will have to pay £24m ($30m) to the Blues to sign Hall outright, Ben Jacobs reports, and they are close to mathematically confirming that will happen.

Newcastle paid an initial £4m to sign Hall on loan from the Blues, but his time in Eddie Howe's side has not gone according to plan. The left-back has made just 11 Premier League appearances this season, but only three of those have been from the start. Newcastle recently saw defenders Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman ruled out with anterior cruciate ligament injuries, so Howe called on Hall to start each of their last two league games.

Chelsea are said to have already added the £24m they will make from Hall's sale to their budget for next season. The London side are expected to bring in new players in the summer window, with coach Mauricio Pochettino admitting they must address the lack of maturity in the squad ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Magpies can ensure they will finish above 15th place as early as this weekend when they come up against Tottenham at St James' Park. Chelsea, meanwhile, will take on relegation candidates Everton on April 15.