Newcastle United Confidential: Lewis Hall Contract Detail, Osula Injury Update, £85m Transfer Reveal and Two New Sponsors

Lewis Hall’s new Newcastle contract does not contain a release clause, Confidential can reveal — a development that may frustrate Manchester United.

The 22-year-old was United’s leading left-back target during the summer, but Newcastle were never prepared to consider his sale. Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada was informed by Newcastle counterpart David Hopkinson that Hall was not available, and the Old Trafford club chose not to pursue the matter further.

Negotiations over improved terms gathered pace last week, culminating in an agreement that includes a two-year extension. Lawyers have spent this week finalising the details of the five-year contract, with an official announcement expected shortly.

Significantly, the agreement contains no release clause, despite indications that Manchester United could renew their interest in Hall next summer.

United may yet revisit the possibility of signing him, but Newcastle’s new deal safeguards Hall’s market value while recognising his progress since he joined from Chelsea for £35million in 2023. He has made 102 appearances for the club and scored three goals.

Hall is also expected to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad of the season next Friday, when the manager selects his players for four Nations League fixtures.

New contracts planned for Murphy and Willock

Newcastle are also preparing to discuss contract extensions with Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock after both players remained at St James’ Park beyond the transfer deadline.

Both players have entered the final year of their current agreements, and Newcastle officials are considering adding a further 12 months to each deal.

Newcastle rejected a £15million bid from Nottingham Forest for Murphy, while Besiktas investigated the possibility of signing Willock for £17million.

New boss Matthias Jaissle sees the value in both players and communicated his wish for them to stay put.

Osula making good progress 

William Osula is out of his protective boot and is now fully mobile as he targets a return to action, which could even be this side of the international break.

Reports in Denmark last week suggested his foot injury – first revealed by Confidential two weeks ago – was far more serious than anticipated and claimed the striker was set for an extended spell on the sidelines. We can allay those fears by revealing there has been no fracture and there is no need for surgery.

Indeed, Osula is now able to work on rebuilding his fitness at the training ground and staff are pushing to have him involved before next weekend’s visit of Hull City, the final fixture ahead of the three-week break. The more likely target, say sources, is the first game after the international matches at Coventry City on October 12.

However, news that the 23-year-old has not suffered a serious injury will be welcomed by supporters and head coach Matthias Jaissle, who has only had the Dane available to him for 56 minutes of this campaign so far.

Meanwhile, staff were today assessing the severity of the hamstring injury that forced off Amar Dedic at Millwall on Tuesday night. The early indications are that the problem is not serious.

New man’s central demand 

Matias Fernandez-Pardo has told Newcastle he wants to start matches as a No 9 – and that is where they intend to play him.

The 21-year-old finished the campaign as a centre forward at Lille, but up until March, he had spent most of his time on the left wing. The season before, he started only once as a striker in Ligue 1.

However, that is the position Fernandez-Pardo spoke about during talks to sign him last month. Now he is in the building, the plan to use him there remains unaltered.

Interestingly, Newcastle’s data analysts returned only two players with the same profile as Anthony Gordon, in terms of their output in both the left wing and central striker roles. One was Fernandez-Pardo, the other was Said El Mala of Cologne. El Mala, 20, did not move this summer, but he remains on Newcastle’s watchlist.

Meanwhile, Pardo’s wish to play as a No 9 will see him compete with Osula for the starting jersey, with Yoane Wissa likely to be used more as a No 10.

One that got away? 

Here is a belated one on transfers – three years later! – but Newcastle spoke with Ayyoub Bouaddi when he was 15 years old.

I only heard this in recent days and thought it was worth sharing after seeing the 18-year-old Moroccan make such an impressive start at Manchester City, whom he joined for £85.6m from Lille last month.

The midfielder and his family, I’m told, had conversations with club staff with a view to building a relationship.

However, they were not the only club to do so, and Bouaddi had his pick of several major European sides this summer after a stellar World Cup.

Show me the money! 

Finally, Newcastle will confirm a new multi-million-pound partnership with Coca-Cola this week.

The global drinks brand will replace Sela as sponsor of the St James’ STACK fan zone.

Newcastle have also signed a new multi-year deal to extend their partnership with betting and entertainment brand, BetMGM.

Negotiated by chief executive Hopkinson, the deals represent another step in the club’s drive to increase commercial revenues. More partnership announcements are expected in the coming months.