Crystal Palace have reportedly made contact with Chelsea over signing youngster Lewis Hall on loan.
The 18-year-old started Chelsea's final four Premier League games of last season, making 11 appearances altogether during the 2022-23 campaign.
Hall has also played minutes in Chelsea's pre-season tour to the US, coming off the bench in four of their five friendlies.
The South London Press claims that Chelsea are close to agreeing a new deal with Hall, before sending him out on loan for the season.
It is believed moving to another London club and staying local is a big factor for the teenager, as well as the promise of regular first-team minutes.
Chelsea rate Hall highly, especially after picking up their Academy Player of the Season award last season.
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Hall's appearances in the first team saw him deployed as a left-back, but he also has the versatility to play in midfield, like he has done at youth level for England.
Despite still being only 18, Hall has been fast-tracked into the England Under-21 setup, and made his debut at that age level in June, but was not selected for the successful European Championships squad.
Left-back is an area where Palace are targeting for the new season, with Tyrick Mitchell and Jeffrey Schlupp both currently nursing injuries.
Hall may also look to prove his worth in midfield too, but after adding Jefferson Lerma to a midfield which already contains Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze, competition at Palace is high.
Palace, and parent club Chelsea, will hope that the player can have a similar impact to recent loanee imports from Stamford Bridge.
Conor Gallagher enjoyed a fine campaign at Selhurst Park during the 2021-22 season, contributing to 13 goals from midfield and winning the club's Player of the Year award.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek also had his first big breakthrough on loan at Palace in the 2017-18 campaign, earning him a spot in England's 2018 World Cup squad.
Despite ultimately not working out at Chelsea for Loftus-Cheek, though, he has recently completed a move to Italian giants AC Milan.
Andrew Delaney
