Meet the £30m target who’s Man Utd’s perfect Lewis Hall alternative

Manchester United have still got work to do in the summer transfer window, but INEOS have addressed glaring issues in the middle of the park, signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, two midfielders at very different stages.

In Santos, who joined from Chelsea in a £48m deal, the Red Devils have acquired a “one-man war machine in midfield“, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig. The £35m Tielemans, however, should offer Michael Carrick‘s side an instant lift, bringing his experience and elite technicality to Old Trafford.

More is needed. Carrick stuck to his preferred line-up as much as he could last season, creating a degree of continuity that was decidedly absent under Ruben Amorim.

Marcus Rashford is back in Manchester following his La Liga-winning loan spell with Barcelona, and his potential homecoming could bear dividends for Carrick’s side, but the Three Lions forward does need support, which is perhaps why INEOS are intent on signing Lewis Hall from Newcastle United.

Why Man United want to sign Lewis Hall

Newcastle have made it clear they are going to play hardball over Hall, having lost most of their star men this summer. However, Man United are determined to replenish

Luke Shaw has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, and Patrick Dorgu was utilised in attacking areas last season. Hall, a 21-year-old England international, has “got all the attributes to be one of the best left-backs in the world“, according to former Toon teammate Kieran Trippier.

A complete full-back, Hall is energetic and robust, calm and creative on the ball while boasting a tenacious attitude to defending that few can channel to the same standard – or with the same consistency.

You can see why INEOS want him. Rashford is a prolific winger, but his overall play sometimes leaves something to be desired. In all competitions for Barcelona, he posted 14 goals and 14 assists apiece, but he also completed 0.9 dribbles and won only 2.1 duels per game.

Hall could complement him perfectly, but for all United’s interest, they may struggle to get the deal over the line. The Magpies look like they will stick by their £70m asking price, which is surely too high.

Jason Wilcox and company need to be prepared to pivot, and they have already taken a big step toward signing an alternative.

Man United open talks to sign £30m Hall alternative

Hall has shown on numerous occasions for Newcastle that he is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, but if he is unattainable this summer, United need to ensure they land a fallback with the skillset to play a similar role, supporting the likes of Rashford, who has shown he can be a goalscoring phenomenon when on his A-game.

If not Hall, then Man United could pivot to Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys, with reports confirmed by Caught Offside confirming that United and Arsenal have opened talks with the Belgian side to make an enquiry regarding a possible deal for the 21-year-old.

Seys is valued at £30m, and while he is a lesser-known prospect than Hall, United could pull off the kind of astute deal here that has evaded them so often in this post-Fergie world.

REUTERS/GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERT

Seys’ physical profile and balanced approach to full-back play does align him with Hall’s own style. In that, he could be the perfect player for Man United to push for, and one academy scout has even dubbed in the “one-of-one Hall replacement” at United, with that in mind.

He came off the bench for Belgium and made an impact against Spain at the World Cup. Across only 29 minutes, Seys caught the eye with his proactive passing and success in negating Lamine Yamal’s threat, talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing his “superb performance” against the Barcelona superstar.

Such a feat, of course, is something Hall has also achieved in recent months, exceptional for Newcastle over two knockout legs against Barca in the Champions League last season. For his effort against Yamal, Sky Sports’ Paul Merson said he “got the better” of the Spanish sensation.

Rashford could be a secret weapon for United over the coming year, but he’ll need Seys behind him, rather than an ageing and immobile defender such as Shaw. In the Belgian Pro League last term, for example, he completed 61% of his dribbles, won 62% of his ground battles and covered stretches of ground in defensive and attacking areas.

Such a combative and all-action style is exactly what United need. If not Hall, they Seys. It feels like either signing could help advance the Carrick era, but signing the Belgian would be that much shrewder a move, and it’s one that INEOS need to make as the new Premier League season draws near.