Lewis Hall exit looks inevitable as Newcastle United join race for Maxi Araujo
Lewis Hall’s future at Newcastle United has been heavily speculated upon ahead of the summer transfer window.
The left-back has had an impressive campaign, despite the Magpies’ current struggles.
As a result, multiple bug clubs are said to be interested in the England international, especially with the club looking unlikely to qualify for European football.
However, his exit now looks inevitable, with Newcastle eyeing a move for fellow left-back Maxi Araujo.
With the Sporting CP star being one of the best players in Liga Portugal this season, surely Eddie Howe views the 26-year-old as a replacement for Hall.
Maxi Araujo will likely be replacement for Lewis Hall
According to Sport Witness on 27 April, Newcastle are one of multiple Premier League sides chasing Araujo.
It is believed that the Portuguese giants want around £43million to part with the Uruguay international, who was key in their run to the Champions League quarter-finals before they were narrowly knocked out by Arsenal.
| Maxi Araujo's Liga Portugal stats this season | Per 90 minutes |
| Goals | 0.19 |
| xG | 0.24 |
| Assists | 0.15 |
| xA | 0.12 |
| Chances created | 1.26 |
| Interceptions | 1.26 |
| Recoveries | 4.80 |
Araujo, whose contract expires in 2029, has not yet decided on his future, with the full-back concentrating on the rest of the season and the upcoming World Cup.
However, given his CV, and his lofty price tag, he will not be brought into St James’ Park to sit on the bench.
Therefore, it is likely that he will be brought in to replace Hall, as Newcastle may have already accepted that they cannot hold onto the star man.
How much will Newcastle demand for Hall?
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider it would take a “huge” fee to lure Hall away from Newcastle this summer.
The likes of Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been listed among the left-back’s admirers.
While Newcastle have no plans to lose their star players this summer, Hall has been continuously linked away from St James’ Park for months.
While Brown admitted that he would be surprised if Hall departed over the coming months, he admitted a good World Cup could see his price tag rise higher.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Newcastle depart with their left-back over the course of the summer transfer window after what has been a tough season at the club.