Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly is reportedly open to the idea of joining Newcastle United amid his links with Tottenham.
According to Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle United are interested in signing in-demand Bournemouth star Lloyd Kelly as a free agent at the end of the season. But securing a move would come at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is open to joining them.
The Magpies have returned to reality this season following their surprise qualification for the UEFA Champions League last term. The demands and pressures on Eddie Howe’s injury-plagued side have been difficult to handle. Newcastle crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage, fell to Chelsea in the EFL Cup, and have drawn Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Furthermore, with Newcastle currently sitting eighth in the Premier League, Howe faces a battle to qualify for any European competition next term, never mind the Champions League. The club’s summer spending could be limited as a result, with FFP restrictions hanging over the club like a dark cloud.
As such, they could benefit from a canny free agent signing right now, and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly has surfaced as such an option in recent weeks. The versatile 25-year-old can play at centre-back or left-back and is out of contract in the summer.
The Cherries have already offered Kelly an extension in the hope that he will commit his future to the club for another few seasons at least, with a release clause inserted. However, Bournemouth are not confident Kelly will pen fresh terms.
A free agent exit is therefore on the cards. GMS journalist Ben Jacobs has now offered a fresh update about when the Tyneside-based outfit could step up their plans for the market and Kelly’s pursuit, claiming he is open to joining Newcastle United. The Magpies can probably hand him a considerable improvement on his £30,000-a-week wages.
Newcastle United set to beat Tottenham in Lloyd Kelly race?
Tottenham, who bid £20 million for Kelly last summer, are hovering over the Bournemouth defensive stalwart despite signing centre-back Radu Dragusin from Genoa in the winter transfer window. However, as suggested by Jacobs, Newcastle could be an attractive option for Kelly due to the reunion with Eddie Howe, who actually signed him during his time at Bournemouth from Bristol City.
With Paul Dummett set to leave for free in the summer, and Dan Burn’s performances experiencing a big dip, the 25-year-old will also have a clear route to the first-team at St. James’ Park next season. They can also offer him much more than his current £30,000-a-week wages, thus tipping the scales in their favour.
