Newcastle United transfer news: Major update on bid to sign ‘absolute beast’ Kelly – sources
Newcastle United are laying the groundwork to sign Bournemouth star Lloyd Kelly this summer regardless of whether they get relegated, Football Insider understands.
The super-rich Premier League club will be in the market for new defenders at the end of the season despite signing three in January.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that club scouts watched Kelly, 23, in action for Bournemouth last week against Barnsley as they continue to track him ahead of the summer.
The north-east outfit are planning a move for the centre-back regardless of whether they stay up or suffer relegation this season.
Kelly was on Newcastle’s target list in January but Bournemouth refused to sell mid-season while they are battling for promotion.
Howe was the manager of the south coast club when the defender was signed from Bristol City in 2019 for £13million.
At the time he was also being watched by the likes of Liverpool and Southampton.
Kelly has developed during his time at Bournemouth and has been a key player this season in their promotion bid.
The former England Under-21 international has made 22 Championship starts among 24 appearances in all competitions.
He has regularly captained Bournemouth, who are third in the division and have conceded just 20 goals from their 28 league matches.
Kelly has been described as a ‘Rolls-Royce‘ by former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate, who worked with him during his time as interim Bournemouth boss.
Former Bristol City manager Lee Johnson told the Bristol Post he has high hopes of a player he claims “looks an absolute beast.”
In other news, pundit predicts “underrated” Newcastle United signing will be the man who saves them from relegation.