Chelsea accept 'too good to turn down' £28m transfer offer from Newcastle United for Lewis Hall just seven days after he agreed a huge new contract

• Chelsea accept offer from Newcastle
• Agreed a long-term contract a week ago
• Enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2022-23

WHAT HAPPENED? After spending in excess of £900 million ($1.1bn) across the past two transfer windows, teenage academy product Hall will most likely be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the summer.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: According to The Telegraph, the club have accepted a £28m ($35m) transfer offer for the 18-year-old, from fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United. The move comes as a surprise as it was reported that Hall had agreed to a new contract which could have seen him stay at Chelsea until 2030, with a loan move to Crystal Palace having been mooted.

AND WHAT'S MORE: Having broken the British transfer record twice in the past eight months, pressure is beginning to mount at Stamford Bridge, and the club sees some of its Cobham academy stars as pure-profit means of balancing the books to meet Financial Fair Play (FFP's) regulations. Hall made nine Premier League appearances in 2022-23 and showed his versatility by playing in defence and midfield, leading to the Magpies making a move for him.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? Potential moves for Michael Olise and Romeo Lavia are said to still be in the pipeline, with it clear the Blues are still in the hunt for further reinforcements before the summer window closes.