Things are starting to improve for some of Newcastle United’s summer signings.
Clearly, Newcastle will need to wait a while to see if Sandro Tonali ever convinces at St James’ Park.
The Italian cannot play until after next season starts as the result of his betting ban and, while there were some flashes before his suspension, the Italian wasn’t always convincing.
It hasn’t been easy for most of Newcastle’s signings, aside from the excellent Tino Livramento.
The defender is perhaps the only player signed last summer to have hit the ground running.
Still, life is looking up for Harvey Barnes.
Eddie Howe has confirmed the winger is set to play a big role between now and the end of the season after the start to his Newcastle career was derailed by a freakish foot injury.
He scored twice in a thrilling win over West Ham late last month before playing in the cross from which Bruno Guimaraes eventually scored the winner at Fulham on Saturday.
Barnes isn’t the only one to have seen things improve of late.
Newcastle could sign Lewis Hall permanently very soon
Indeed, Lewis Hall is starting to convince.
Howe has spoken positively about what the teenager is doing in training, while Guimaraes hailed his performance against the Hammers.
There had previously been doubts about the 19-year-old’s defending at this stage of his career but Hall has enjoyed a run in the first-team of late, albeit that probably wouldn’t have happened had it not been for injuries to Livramento and Kieran Trippier.
It’s promising to see Hall making an impact ahead of his £28m permanent move to the club this summer.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs on X (formerly Twitter), the formalities of that deal could go through very soon.
He claims £4m has already been paid and that the remaining £24m could be shelled out by Saturday, when Newcastle could be mathematically clear of relegation.
Lewis Hall is convincing just at the right time
We’ve seen Anthony Gordon take a while to adapt to life at Newcastle, so Hall isn’t the only player to have struggled during his first few months.
Still, what matters now is that Hall is starting to find his feet.
It’s brilliant to see that and offers promise for the future, making the idea of paying £24m during a time in which FFP restrictions remain at play far less galling.
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