If Eddie Howe thought that Newcastle's 4-0 victory over Tottenham was the perfect afternoon for his side, he may want to think again after it was revealed the win triggered a transfer clause.
The Magpies ran riot against Ange Postecoglou's side as Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar all struck to seal three points for the hosts.
The victory has helped put them in pole position for a place in next season's Europa League, after leapfrogging Man United, but it also appears to have come at a price.
By beating Tottenham, Newcastle are now guaranteed to finish above 14th place in the league table and, thus, have triggered the clause to sign Lewis Hall from Chelsea for £28million.
The 19-year-old joined the Magpies on a season-long loan in August with an obligation to buy for £28million, with a further £7m in add-ons. The deal included performance-related criteria that needed to be met.
Back in December, asked if the criteria had already been triggered, Eddie Howe said: ‘You’re probably asking the wrong man, I’m not 100 per cent sure.’
A club official then intervened when Howe was asked directly if Hall would be a Newcastle player beyond this campaign. But would the decision be made by Howe?
‘It’s not mine,’ said the head coach. ‘For me, he’s here now, he’s a Newcastle player. But I think there’s certain criteria he has to meet.’
Howe added: ‘Lewis is a really talented player. He has huge technical qualities. He is creative and has very good final delivery. He’s a really good attacking full-back. He’s got certain things to learn defensively, which we’re working on with him.
‘But he’s a young age and also recently converted to a left-back. There needs to be a little bit of understanding that he may take a little bit of time
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