Man Utd want Lewis Hall despite being offered Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle defender is keen on transfer

MANCHESTER UNITED are prioritising Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall — despite being offered Myles Lewis-Skelly. And the Toon defender wants to make the move to Old Trafford. Lewis Hall wants to join Manchester United Credit: Getty Hall has shone at Old Trafford in the past Credit: The Times United monitored Lewis-Skelly earlier in the year and are among the clubs to have been offered the Arsenal star. But they have identified Hall, 21, as the ideal long-term replacement for Luke Shaw. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Well-placed sources say Newcastle have taken measures to dampen talk of Hall joining United. They are desperate to hold on to one of their prized assets, especially with a host of big names already quitting the club this summer. Hall’s wish to leave Newcastle has not changed despite the arrival of new boss Matthias Jaissle, who replaced Eddie Howe after his shock exit last month. SunSport revealed recently that United have belatedly accelerated their interest in Hall, who is under contract until 2029. But United have already baulked at the asking price of Premier League-based trio Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott so far this summer. And Newcastle’s reluctance to lose Hall, plus his return to the England squad this year, has hiked up his asking price. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Luke Shaw is out of contract next year and United see Hall as the perfect replacement Credit: Getty While Toon do not need the cash having already sold Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes for £244million this summer. Arsenal want to recoup funds following the £75million signing of Bruno Guimaraes and regard Lewis-Skelly as a sellable asset. Lewis-Skelly, 19, started just two Premier League games until the final month of last season partly because Mikel Arteta felt he lacked maturity. Intermediaries are now trying to create a market for Lewis-Skelly, with United and Chelsea both on the lookout for a left back. Shaw put his injury woes behind him last season as he played all 38 of United’s Premier League games. But he is out of contract next year and would likely have to take a salary reduction if he is to earn a new deal at United. The 31-year-old has spent 12 years at the club and started all 38 Premier League games last term for the first time. However, Shaw has played more than 40 times in only three of his 12 campaigns with the club and United currently lack specialist senior cover at left back. United are prepared to cash in on 19-year-old Harry Amass while Patrick Dorgu is primarily considered a winger by Michael Carrick. Paraguayan teenager Diego Leon is still training with the under 21s. Shaw could be offered similar terms to Harry Maguire, whose renewal in April included a reduction to his basic annual salary. However, United soon qualified for the Champions League and bonuses are believed to have made up the shortfall in Maguire’s wages. Comment now