- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Newcastle United are set to have another busy summer transfer window after their final day victory over Thomas Frank’s Brentford secured European football.
It hasn’t been the season that Eddie Howe’s side would have wanted with the club only securing a Conference League place and that place could still be in jeopardy if Manchester United win the FA Cup against Manchester City this weekend.
The Geordie side have had numerous injury problems in the heart of their defence and it seems the Toon Army are keen to rectify this problem with HITC sources confirming that the club are confident they will win the race to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly.
Both of these defenders are set to leave their respective clubs this summer as free agents and Howe’s side are understood to be confident that they will win the race for the English defensive pair.
Newcastle set to win Tosin race
HITC Football reported last week that the Geordie side were in a strong position to land the Fulham defender, despite strong interest from Manchester United. Due to the managerial uncertainty at Old Trafford, transfer dealings are proving to be difficult with any potential incomings keen to learn which direction the club are going in.
The former Manchester City defender has been key for Marco Silva’s side this season, despite his injury problems and was described as a ‘special player’ by the Portuguese manager this season, as per beIN Sport. This has led to a host of top sides expressing their interest in the 26-year-old defender.
United were keen on the defender with Raphael Varane leaving the club and potentially a couple of other defenders joining the Frenchman on the way out, but it is Howe’s side who have stolen a march on other interested parties.
Newcastle close in on Kelly deal
Adarabioyo isn’t the only defender that Newcastle are confident in signing with HITC understanding that talks have also progressed with Kelly, which would see the Bournemouth defender move to St James’ Park on a free transfer.
We revealed last month that Newcastle were favourites for the signing of Kelly and it appears that the club are moving swiftly to get that deal over the line.
Newcastle are looking to move quickly in the market and if they can finalise these deals they will look to progress with their attempts to bring in a new goalkeeper and another forward.
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been linked with a move to St James’ Park and with the Gunners set to confirm an agreement has been reached for the permanent transfer of David Raya, the 26-year-old Englishman could be allowed to leave the North London club this summer.
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