Lewis Hall offered long term contract by club

Manchester United’s search for a new left-back has thrown up more twists than perhaps any other position this summer.

Michael Carrick’s side are hoping to not rely solely on Luke Shaw for a season that includes Champions League football alongside a demanding domestic schedule.

Patrick Dorgu has instead been deployed further forward, leaving United genuinely short in that area.

That gap has forced Carrick’s recruitment staff to work through a growing list of alternatives as the deadline approaches.

One name kept rising above the rest before the situation took a decisive turn.

Lewis Hall offered contract

Newcastle United are finalising the details of a new contract for England full-back Lewis Hall, according to The Telegraph.

United had already seen an enquiry for the 21-year-old firmly rejected by Newcastle.

Lewis Hall had been identified as a standout candidate to provide competition for Shaw as United weighed up their options at left-back.

The clearest sign yet of Newcastle’s stance came in the aftermath of their 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel put the question directly to new Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle during a post-match interview for Viaplay.

“We’re looking at your left-back,” Schmeichel said to the German manager.

Jaissle responded immediately, laughing as he repeated, “No chance. No chance. No chance.”

That blunt dismissal effectively ended any lingering hope United held of landing Hall before the deadline.

United’s attention has since turned toward alternative left-back options as a result of Newcastle’s firm stance.

Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has emerged as the most significant of those alternatives, with Carrick’s side understood to prefer a loan agreement over an outright purchase.

RB Leipzig captain David Raum and Racing Club’s Jorge Salinas have also been credited with interest from Old Trafford in recent weeks.

Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu was similarly enquired about, though Turkish-Football reported no formal agreement exists between the two Premier League clubs.

Hall himself joined Newcastle from Chelsea in a £28million deal and has quickly established himself as a key player.

His performances since arriving on Tyneside have made him one of the most sought-after young full-backs in English football.

United’s need for defensive reinforcement was laid bare by their opening-day defeat to Hull City, a result that has only added urgency to their search.