The £28m signing that could be Newcastle United's secret weapon in their push for European competition

It has already been a somewhat strange transfer window for Newcastle United and one dominated by a frenzied attempt to stave off the threat of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

Just over a month has passed since the Magpies hierarchy considered allowing two of their crown jewels to depart St. James’ Park as Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak were the subjects of tentative interest from Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. Although it should be pointed out either sale was viewed as a ‘last resort’, there was a slim chance one of the highly-rated duo could have left the Magpies as the financial deadline crept ever closer at the end of last month.

Two sales were indeed completed once young duo Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh departed to join Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively. The reported income of £65m coupled with the compensation Newcastle received from Manchester United for sporting director Dan Ashworth helped avoid any financial penalty or significant points deduction such as those imposed on Everton and Forest - but it was a close call and one the Magpies will do well to avoid over the coming years as they look to take the next steps in their development under their PIF-led owners.

Although there have been some ill-advised suggestions the breaks are off when it comes to spending, there is no doubt Newcastle will remain ambitious and realistic as they look to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad in a bid to move on from what felt like an underwhelming season last time out. The business conducted so far could probably be classed as measured with Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, Birmingham City veteran John Ruddy and Bournemouth’s versatile defender Lloyd Kelly all arriving at St. James’ Park.

The other incoming deal completed by Newcastle may well have gone under the radar but could prove to be their most significant piece of business, no matter what happens between now and the end of the summer transfer window. Although Lewis Hall’s season-long loan spell failed to inspire on a regular basis, there were some signs of significant improvement as the Chelsea youngster’s spell on Tyneside came to a close. With certain criteria within the loan agreement reached by the time the campaign ended, Hall’s move was made permanent with a pre-agreed £28m fee allowing the boyhood Magpies supporter to carry on the dream of playing for his club.

Taking all of the romance out of the equation, a fully-fit Hall looks to be a perfect fit for an Eddie Howe player and, alongside Tino Livramento, could form part of a full-back partnership that will benefit the Magpies - and perhaps England - for years to come. There is believed to be an acceptance within Howe’s coaching staff that Hall is a work-in-progress - but there remains great excitement over the youngster’s potential to become a key player for the club.

With the new season now just over three weeks away, it should not be forgotten Hall has fewer than 30 Premier League appearances to his name and only half of them have come as part of a starting lineup at Chelsea or Newcastle. He is on the steepest of learning curves under Howe but the early signs in pre-season seem to indicate Hall has made significant progress in his development and could well play a more prominent role during the coming season. Although it would be foolish to get too carried away with pre-season performances given the lower intensity of such fixtures, there have been strong suggestions Hall has shown some signs of improving defensively and has further enhanced his already impressive ability going forwards and joining in with attacking play.

The level of Hall’s initial involvement in competitive fixtures may well be dictated by what further business Newcastle are able to complete during the final month of the transfer window. There is interest in AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw - although as it stands at the time of writing, no official bid has been lodged for the three-times capped Germany international and there are even suggestions United have moved away from any possible deal. Interest in Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi has been firmed up, a bid has already been rejected by the Eagles and talks are believed to be ongoing as the final three weeks of the transfer window arrive. But should a deal be completed, there is a likelihood the new man, no matter who it may be, will partner Fabian Schar and allow Dan Burn - who has featured prominently at left-back under Howe - to compete with Hall and summer signing Lloyd Kelly for a place on the left-hand side of the back four.

The true test for Hall may well come when club captain Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman come back into contention after lengthy injury lay-offs and lessen the need for Kelly and Burn to feature at the heart of the defence. However, as it stands, Hall has a golden opportunity to cement his place in Howe’s side for the opening games of what could be a season that provides a launchpad for an exciting future for the Magpies youngster.