LEWIS Hall has arrived at Newcastle's training ground to undergo his medical ahead of his completing his switch from Chelsea.

The teenage defender will join Newcastle on loan initially with the move then being made permanent next summer for a fee in the region of £28m.

Hall arrived on Tyneside early on Friday afternoon, just a few hours after boss Eddie Howe all but confirmed a deal was imminent in his press conference.

Howe said: "He's a player I like, he's very versatile, really good potential."

Hall only recently signed a new seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea need to balance the books after their recent heavy spending, so the Blues favoured a permanent sale of the young defender rather than sanctioning a loan move to Crystal Palace, which looked to be in the offing before Newcastle's interest emerged.

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As much as Hall is highly rated at Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino isn't short of left-back options, with Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen battling for a place in the team.

Hall - whose dad supports Newcastle - immediately made it clear he was interested in the move to St James' Park - and the deal should now be confirmed over the weekend.

Unless circumstances change and force Newcastle's hand, Hall will be the last signing of the summer window.

Howe said: "I think if we were able to bring a player in (Hall), that would be our transfer business concluded unless there was injuries with our own players."