Chelsea have decided to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, and they are plotting a move for Lewis Hall as his replacement.

The 21-year-old left Chelsea to join Newcastle United in 2023, and he has been a key player for them. Chelsea are hoping to bring him back to the club.

According to Sports Boom, they are now plotting an ambitious move to bring the player back, and it remains to be seen whether they can convince Newcastle. The Magpies will not want to sell the 21-year-old easily. He has been a key player for them.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are also monitoring his situation. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

Chelsea needs to properly replace Cucurella, and signing one of the best young fullbacks in the Premier League would be a wise decision. The decision to sell Hall to Newcastle was a mistake, and Chelsea are looking to rectify it. The young defender has a long-term contract with Newcastle, and they will have to pay a premium in order to convince the Magpies.

Manchester United are also looking for a younger alternative to Luke Shaw, and they have the resources to pay a premium. It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.

Hall could be attracted to the idea of joining some of the biggest clubs in the country. Manchester United will be able to offer him Champions League football next season, and that could give them an edge in the transfer race. Chelsea have no European football on offer, but Hall could be tempted to return to his club, and he might feel that he has unfinished business at the club.

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Tournament favourites Spain ground to a shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde to open their World Cup campaign, with the African side securing their first ever point on the world stage at the first time of asking. The Blue Sharks held Spain at arms’ length for most of their encounter, as evidenced by a remarkable statistic to emerge from the game.

While Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 39 years of age, made a total of seven saves during the match, but he did not finish the game being peppered by efforts from La Roja. Although it was backs to the wall defending, they looked capable of holding Spain at bay throughout, who were unable to get their forwards into the game.

Mikel Oyarzabal sets unwanted World Cup record

That was epitomised by Mikel Oyarzabal, who came into the game on a run of 10 goal contributions in eight games in qualifying. Yet the Real Sociedad forward started at nine, and could not get into the match. Opta have reported that Oyarzabal was the first player in World Cup history, since records began in 1966, to go for thirty minutes without touching the ball.

0 – Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal is the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a FIFA World Cup match without touching the ball once.

Peripheral. pic.twitter.com/Ym5xi1ufbg

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2026

When he finally did, it was a loose first touch that broke down a half-chance, with Oyarzabal looking to get a shot off. He finished the game with 25 touches, getting five shots off and making 10 passes, eight of which were successful.

Spain’s attacking issues against Cape Verde

Although Oyarzabal did not have a great game, it was symptomatic of their performance overall than just the Basque forward’s contribution. With Gavi and Ferran Torres out wide for the first 70 minutes, La Roja could not stretch their opposition, and there was little space in the final third. Luis de la Fuente will no doubt hope the return to fitness of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will go some way to remedying that.

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Tournament favourites Spain are set to open their World Cup campaign this evening against Cape Verde in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Many eyes will be on Lamine Yamal, to see how the Barcelona star fares as he recovers from injury.

The Euro 2024 winners are seeking their second ever win, and optimism is high in Spain that they have the quality to do so. Up against them in their first game is Cape Verde, who are participating in their first ever tournament, with the oldest squad in the competition by average age.

Rodri and Pedri to anchor Spain midfield

According to Marca, Manchester City star Rodri Hernandez will anchor the midfield, with Pedri and Fabian Ruiz ahead of him. Mikel Oyarzabal will continue to lead the line between Alex Baena and Ferran Torres, in a line-up without too many surprises. New Real Madrid signing Marc Cucurella is also expected to start.

For Cape Verde, manager Bubista said he and his players were ready to take on any challenge. Veteran forward Ryan Mendes will captain the side, with Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes marshalling the backline.

Lamine Yamal to start on the bench

Many will be watching closely to see how Lamine Yamal fares, with the 18-year-old returning from injury after nearly two months out. Diario AS say that he will start on the bench, and manager Luis de la Fuente did not give away what his plan was. It seems Nico Williams and Victor Munoz, who have both been dealing with injuries too, will be sat alongside him. The latter is currently in negotiations to join Newcastle United this summer, and alongside Williams, is one of two wide players that stand out for their pace, an essential for de la Fuente.

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Manchester United are still believed to be leading the race for Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall, despite Chelsea reportedly making contact over a possible move.

According to a source on X, Chelsea have reached out regarding the 21-year-old, but the Blues would need a lot of convincing before pushing seriously for a deal.

That is understandable. Hall came through Chelsea’s academy before leaving for Newcastle, and bringing him back would be an expensive and slightly awkward move after letting him go.

Man United, however, appear to have a clearer need. Sky Sports recently reported that Manchester United are monitoring Hall and Antonee Robinson as possible left-back options, with Luke Shaw currently the only senior natural left-back at Old Trafford.

Chelsea interest adds a twist

Chelsea’s contact makes the situation more interesting, but it does not necessarily mean they are ready to move.

The club confirmed Hall’s permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2024 on their official website, after his loan spell at St James’ Park.

That decision looked sensible at the time, but Hall’s development has since made him one of the more exciting young full-backs in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s official profile describes him as a versatile defender who completed his permanent move from Chelsea in July 2024.

For Chelsea, the issue is whether it makes financial and sporting sense to revisit a player they recently sold.

Unless they are fully convinced, this feels more like early contact than a serious challenge to United.

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Newcastle United hold the power

Newcastle are not under pressure to sell cheaply. Hall is young, homegrown, improving and under long-term control, so any deal would likely require a major offer.

Hall would be open to Man United, which could be important if the race develops further.

For now, United still look best placed. Chelsea may have entered the conversation, but Man United’s need is clearer, their interest appears stronger, and Hall fits exactly the type of long-term left-back profile they are searching for.

Man United and Man City to battle it out for £70 million-rated Premier League star

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Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Newcastle to sign Lewis Hall as per the latest from a prominent ITK on X.

The 21-year-old left-back has experienced a meteoric rise since trading Stamford Bridge for St James’ Park, drawing heavy structural interest from several Premier League heavyweights ahead of the summer transfer window.

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Chelsea join race to sign Lewis Hall

According to updates shared by prominent insider on X, Chelsea have formally re-entered the picture by initiating contact regarding Hall.

The dynamic defender originally left West London for Newcastle in a deal worth up to £35 million, but his parent academy club is now keeping close tabs on his situation.

However, a dramatic return to Stamford Bridge is far from a formality. The report notes that Chelsea’s hierarchy will still “need a lot of convincing” before committing to a definitive, high-stakes bid to re-sign the talented fullback.

The ITK posted the following:

“Exclusive: We can confirm that @ChelseaFC have contacted Manchester United target Lewis Hall. Chelsea will need a lot of convincing to sign the Newcastle United player. Manchester United are still leading the race to sign the player.”

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Man United favourites to sign Hall

Despite Chelsea checking in on their former academy graduate, Manchester United remain the definitive frontrunners in the battle for his signature.

The Red Devils have long identified the £50 million-rated defender as a vital, long-term successor to Luke Shaw on the left side of their backline.

Old Trafford officials have reportedly kept active dialogue alive with the player’s camp over recent days.

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Hall is understood to be highly admired by United’s recruitment department, fitting the exact profile of young, elite Premier League talent INEOS wishes to sign.

With Newcastle facing the reality of a season without European football, temptation is building for the youngster to explore his options.

While Chelsea retain a watching brief, all indicators suggest Old Trafford remains Hall’s most likely destination if a summer move materialises.

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