Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos will now be left with a major ‘what-if’ over their decision to not throw out an opening £60m bid for a Manchester United target in the summer.
Ineos ploughed the majority of the money from the Red Devils’ budget into a midfield rebuild for the Manchester United first-team squad going into the 2026-27 campaign.
The Red Devils spent around £157m and Carlos Baleba was signed in a £70m deal, while Andrey Santos cost £50m in total and Youri Tielemans was priced at £35m.
Outside of the midfield spending, as well as the £4m signing of winger Tynan Thompson, Ineos did not commit to an opening bid for Lewis Hall in the summer.
Man Utd were linked with Lewis Hall and Ineos were not prepared to engage with Newcastle over a deal
Lewis Hall had attracted interest from Manchester United and reports emerged in the summer that the Red Devils were preparing an initial offer of around £60m.
However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime never pulled the trigger on the 22-year-old Newcastle left-back, who is under contract at the Magpies until 2029.
Newcastle had seen several high-profile departures in the summer, including Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal, Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Spurs.
However, the Magpies were prepared to pay hardball over any approaches for United-linked Hall, who had been slapped with a £75m price tag in the summer.
Newcastle were expected to remain firm on their stance of not selling the Magpies defender, but United did not roll the dice with trying to make a formal approach.
Ineos faced criticism for not bringing another left-back to Old Trafford and Hall had been identified as the perfect long-term replacement for United star Luke Shaw.
Lewis Hall’s Newcastle contract extension could be the final nail in the coffin for Man Utd’s transfer interest now
Ineos’ shortcomings in the summer transfer window have seen the latest catalyst arrive, which could end Man Utd’s long-term pursuit of Hall in the 2027 window.
Newcastle on Friday confirmed that the England international has inked a new deal with the Magpies and Hall will now remain at St James’ Park until 2031.
Flashscore has now reported that Newcastle have put a price tag of around £100m on Hall and their position has been strengthened with his new contract.
The publication added that the Red Devils ‘face a major decision’ over whether Ineos will now move forward with a formal approach in next summer’s window.
The additional £25m on the former Chelsea player’s overall transfer value could lead Ineos to pivot elsewhere for another left-back alternative to Luke Shaw.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/NfaiO8y