Earlier this week, The Telegraph reported that Newcastle have shortlisted Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly as summer targets following recruitment meetings on Tyneside.
The Northern Echo have now covered our interest in the pair of soon-to-be free agents, revealing that Toon chiefs believe they have a ‘good chance’ of persuading Adarabioyo to sign at St James’ Park.
Chief writer Scott Wilson reports that the 6ft 5′ centre-back has been scouted extensively for a few seasons and looks set to reject Fulham’s latest contract offer to pursue a move elsewhere this summer.
As for Kelly, it’s thought we’ll have to pay a ‘significant signing-on fee’ to land the versatile 25-year-old. However, Newcastle are keen to secure an early deal for the left-sided defender and believe he would still represent great value for money if we can avoid paying an eight-figure fee for a player Eddie Howe signed for £13m four years ago.
It remains to be seen if we can land both, but it could make plenty of sense. Adarabioyo is a right-side centre-back who could cover for Jamaal Lascelles – sidelined with an ACL injury and out of contract next summer – while Kelly could step in for Sven Botman, also out with an ACL, and offer a tall yet more athletic alternative to Dan Burn should Howe persist with a defensive left-back.
Not so keen on signing Kelly due to his injury record the last 2 seasons, he just seems injury prone and that’s the last thing we need.
Porkpie(Quote)
I’m seeing a few conflicting reports on Kelly’s injury record, so going on his appearances instead….
2020/2021-41 appearances
2021/2022-42 appearances
2022/2023-24 appearances
2023/2024-20 appearances (so far)
Yes, a slight concern, but I would have hope that our injury team can embed him correctly, manage him & any long term issue’s.
I still say get them both in, especially on free’s, our squad depth would be greatly improved.
Alex(Quote)
So he has only played around 1/2 season each of last 2 seasons and with our medical team I wouldn’t want someone already struggling with injuries and certainly wouldn’t pay anymore than £9 million
David(Quote)
What do you mean by the £9 Million? Do you mean wages/agents/signing on fee’s? We would sign him without a transfer fee, as he’s out of contract.
However, with this obvious concern, maybe there could be some additional clauses written into his contract with regards to injury record & playing time?
I just think that if we can keep him fit, keep him playing, our squad will be all the better for it! He’s only 25 as well, across his spell at Bournemouth, his average is 27 appearances per season. Not bad in the grand scheme of things….
Alex(Quote)
Yes the £9m in terms of agents/signing on fees.
He has been injury prone last two seasons, may improve, may not !!
Anyway I’m not sure other than being younger he is an upgrade for us and our ambitions need to be better than Bournemouth players that no one else is showing interest in ??
David(Quote)
👀
He wants £9M in signing on & agents fee’s? Is he having a laugh?! Hmmmm
🤔
Fee’s aside, I totally see you point & I don’t disagree with you! I’m just aware of the financial position that we are in currently (alongside the current PSR rules) that financially we might not be able to go out & buy players better than our current/same level than our current best 11.
Alex(Quote)
Signing players with a history of injuries, the Newcastle medical team can’t cope with the players injured now! When players are injured for 7 weeks with calf injuries and months with back injuries, I believe Newcastle need a new medical team! I race Greyhounds who have had muscle injuries and back problems, but with the equipment I have they are back running in 5 weeks. Surely Newcastle have sophisticated equipment to speed up injury recovery? 7 weeks for a calf injury and still not playing, unbelievable!
TigerMax(Quote)