- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands Newcastle United are stepping up their efforts to sign Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth.
Newcastle have seen their defence decimated with injury this season as Sven Botman and captain Jamal Lascelles both picked up season-ending injuries.
Botman and Lascelles both suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in March, meaning neither could participate in their end-of-season run-in.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has done his best to cope with their absence, but it has confirmed their need to bolster their defensive ranks with at least one new central defender and Lloyd Kelly could be a major help for them.
Newcastle United favourites to sign Lloyd Kelly
HITC understands Lloyd Kelly has turned down Bournemouth‘s latest offer of a new deal, which would have made him one of the club’s top earners.
Sources have confirmed to HITC that Newcastle are seen as the favourites to secure Kelly’s signature at this stage.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have shown a strong interest in Kelly, who can move for free this summer, while AC Milan and Juventus have also had talks.
However, Newcastle are understood to be close to a deal for the 25-year-old English defender, who can play as a centre-back or as a left-back.
Newcastle also maintain an interest in another soon-to-be free agent Tosin Adarabioyo. However, the Magpies are not seen as favourites for the Fulham defender.
HITC understands that Tottenham, who are aiming to finish fourth in the Premier League table this season, are favourites to sign Adarabioyo and hoping to persuade him to move across London.
What Eddie Howe has previously said about Lloyd Kelly
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe worked with Lloyd Kelly at Bournemouth, and he has previously raved about the defender.
The Daily Echo quoted Howe as saying about Kelly in June 2020: “He’s certainly someone who I think could have leadership capabilities as he grows through his career.”
Howe added: “Lloyd in our (training) games only played 30 minutes and 45 minutes, so we are building him up to where he needs to be.
“It’s been a great boost to have him back training among the group but physically in terms of training time and game time, he’d still be a little bit short of where he needs to be.
“But he is an outstanding player, got great potential. We just have to be careful with him in these first few weeks.”
Kelly has made 49 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. He has given three assists and nine clean sheets in those games.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
