Speculation around Lloyd Kelly and his transfer intentions this summer rages on with Newcastle United one of many clubs hoping to secure themselves a shrewd signing in the coming months. The Bournemouth defender is poised to leave the south coast when his contract expires in June, with the Magpies poised to make a move for his signature.
The fact Kelly is set to be available on a free, coupled with the fact he is playing for Bournemouth not Barcelona, has inevitably raised some eyebrows on Tyneside as some question whether Newcastle, who now desire to qualify for Europe each and every season moving forward, should be aiming higher with their summer shopping list.
However, any such doubters need only look at the interest in Kelly in windows gone by to see the Cherries star is a top talent with a bright future ahead of him. Crucially, he is one Eddie Howe knows well from his time at the Vitality Stadium too.
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Last summer Tottenham Hotspur went all out to sign the 25-year-old, offering £20m to Bournemouth in a bid to persuade them to part ways rather than losing the player on a free this summer. The north London outfit went on to sign Micky van de Ven and later Radu Dragusin to bolster their backline - but even now interest in Kelly is said to remain.
Bournemouth managed to fend off such interest before attempting to tie Kelly down to a new deal, offering him the chance to become the club's highest earner with his improved terms. The former Bristol City star spurned such advances and is now destined to seek a new challenge in the summer.
While Tottenham and Newcastle's interest remains strong, the likes of West Ham, Juventus and AC Milan have also been tipped to make their move. A vote of confidence in Kelly's abilities.
Calm and composed on the ball, along with possessing the versatility to play at either centre-back or left-back, it is no wonder Howe and his transfer team have set their sights on the transfer. Given both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles will miss the majority of 2024 through ACL injuries, winning the race for Kelly would be a significant coup ahead of a busy summer.
To add, with the majority of English clubs attempting to balance the books at present, it makes sense to see so many approaching an attractive free agent. Interest in Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, who is also approaching the end of his contract, has also been expressed in recent weeks.
But for anyone scoffing about a lack of desire with the aforementioned targets, similar reservations were aired by some regarding the purchases of Anthony Gordon, Nick Pope, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento - all signed from bottom-half Premier League or Championship clubs - and they have all turned out to be a shrewd buys.
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