West Ham United will reportedly look to sign versatile 26-year-old English defender Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle United before the winter transfer window shuts down.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Lloyd Kelly is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers have been scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the winter transfer window. So, the versatile 26-year-old Newcastle United defender has emerged as a target for the East London club.
Lloyd Kelly and his Newcastle United issues
Lloyd Kelly has struggled for relevance since joining Newcastle United in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window, having run down his contract with Bournemouth. While the Englishman’s versatility makes him an asset for the Tyneside outfit, game time has come at a premium for him throughout the 2024/25 season thus far.
The 26-year-old has managed only 593 minutes of game time across 13 appearances in all competitions thus far this season. So, it is hardly surprising that the versatile defender is disgruntled by his situation at Newcastle United.
A departure from Newcastle United only six months after arriving from Bournemouth is on the cards for the English defender. Kelly does not have a shortage of suitors pursuing his signature, with recent reports linking him with European bigwigs like Borussia Dortmund and Juventus. However, West Ham United will aim to beat the competition to his signature this month.
London calling?
West Ham United’s interest in Lloyd Kelly is understandable. The Hammers have been scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the winter transfer window, with Graham Potter demanding more resources for the unit. Jean-Clair Todibo has blown hot and cold since arriving from OGC Nice in the summer transfer window, while other centre-backs have also been inconsistent.
So, several candidates, including Craig Dawson, have emerged on West Ham United’s radar. However, Kelly is also a viable target, with his versatility making him an appealing prospect for the East London club, as the 26-year-old Englishman can be an alternative to Emerson Palmieri.
However, it is unclear if Newcastle United will be open to selling a player to another Premier League club. So, it will be interesting to see if the versatile English defender joins West Ham in the final days of the winter transfer window.