Chelsea have made the decision to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid and are now targeting a replacement from within the Premier League.
The club have identified Lewis Hall as their primary target, looking to bring the 21-year-old back to Stamford Bridge after his departure in 2023.
Hall left Chelsea to join Newcastle United three years ago and has since established himself as one of the most reliable young fullbacks in the English top flight.
Newcastle will not be willing to let their key asset leave without a fight, and Hall’s long-term contract at the club means Chelsea will need to pay a significant premium.
According to Sports Boom, Chelsea are plotting an ambitious move to bring the defender back, though convincing the Magpies will be no straightforward task.
Chelsea view the original decision to sell Hall to Newcastle as a mistake, and the club are eager to rectify it by securing his services this summer.
The Blues currently have no European football to offer, which could complicate their efforts to attract Hall back to west London.
Manchester United have entered the picture as a competing suitor, with the club monitoring Hall’s situation as they seek a younger alternative to Luke Shaw.
United will be able to offer Hall Champions League football next season, which could give them a decisive edge over Chelsea in the race for his signature.
Both clubs have the financial resources to meet Newcastle’s asking price, setting up what could become one of the summer’s most competitive transfer battles.
Hall himself may find the prospect of joining one of England’s biggest clubs appealing, though the lure of returning to the club where he developed could also be a powerful factor.
Chelsea’s need to properly address the left-back position is clear, and signing one of the brightest young fullbacks in the league would represent a statement of intent.
