- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
AFC Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly is weighing up his future with Premier League trio Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Liverpool all indicating that they are willing to make offers for the soon to be out-of-contract defender.
HITC Football understands that, with the 25-year-old due to become a free-agent at the start of July, Lloyd Kelly will not be short of opportunities as he considers whether to stay in England or continue his career in mainland Europe.
The former England Under 21 international is a target for a number of clubs, not only in England but in Germany, France and Italy too. HITC have been informed that AC Milan, Juventus and AS Roma have already spoken to Kelly. As have a Napoli side who remain in the market for a new centre-half after missing out on Radu Dragusin to Tottenham Hotspur in January.
Speaking of Spurs, Tottenham are one of at least three Premier League-based clubs who have indicated that they are ready to go into battle with Napoli and co for Kelly’s signature. Liverpool and Newcastle United have also set out their stall, ready to make approaches of their own.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle in Lloyd Kelly race
Liverpool’s interest, in particular, will come as no surprise.
Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders have been eyeing a number of left-sided centre-halves since last summer, when Micky van de Ven was a target. HITC has been told that Liverpool, in addition to Kelly, are also keen on Feyenoord’s David Hancko and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill. The agent of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie has also confirmed interest from the Anfield outfit, with Xabi Alonso not the only Bay Arena man on Liverpool’s radar.
Kelly, who joined Bournemouth from his hometown club Bristol City for £13 million back in 2019, may have the advantage of boasting a proven track record in England’s top flight, even if he has struggled with injuries of late.
Liverpool target outshone Mo Salah
According to The Athletic, Spurs saw a £20 million bid rejected by The Cherries on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Kelly, interestingly, produced perhaps his best-ever display against a potential future team-mate, keeping Mo Salah quiet during Bournemouth’s 1-0 win over Liverpool in the spring.
“I thought Lloyd was incredible,” then-coach Gary O’Neil said at full-time.
“I think he had a 12-week ankle injury followed by a six-week calf injury. (He) didn’t have much time in between, and then came back today having not trained much to play left-back against one of the best wingers in the world.
“I thought he showed everything, the potential he has to be a top defender. I thought it was a very, very impressive performance against a top attacker.”
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