There has been some major developments regarding the future of Lloyd Kelly after ongoing links with Serie A giants Juventus.
After Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Italian side had been in contact again over a January deal for the defender, claiming a loan-to-buy deal had been discussed.
A few hours later, it looks as though Kelly is on his way to Juve a matter of months on from his free agent arrival from Bournemouth.
Kelly deal agreed – Romano
According to some big breaking news from Fabrizio Romano on Saturday night, Newcastle United have now AGREED a deal with Juventus over Lloyd Kelly.
He reports that an agreement is now in place over an initial loan with an obligation to buy for £15m at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Romano adds that the deal is £15m with add-ons and includes a future sell-on clause. Terms of his contract have also been agreed and medical plans are in the offing to bring Kelly to Turn.
In a post on X, Romano said: ‘Lloyd Kelly to Juventus, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for Newcastle CB to join on loan with obligation to buy. Package around £15m with add-ons and sell-on clause, contract agreed with Kelly. Medical being planned right now.’
Having sold Dean Huijsen and still awaiting the return of Gleison Bremen, the Old Lady is in desperate need of defensive reinforcements if they want to continue their own push for Champions League football.
What does this mean for Newcastle
Pending the return of Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles to the senior squad, Newcastle would still maintain a sense of squad depth if Kelly were to depart this month.
Though clearly admired by Howe and valued for his Premier League experience, Kelly has struggles for starts at centre-back or left-back. And with Sven Botman edging closer to full fitness, this is unlikely to change barring an injury to Dan Burn or Fabian Schar.
At left-back, Matt Targett is fit again and can be used along with Tino Livramento should Lewis Hall suffer an injury down that side. It’s a quick profit that could suit all parties.
Any funds raised from Kelly’s transfer could potentially be used in this window, with Newcastle themselves desperate to bolster their attacking options, especially down that right side.
Whilst the £15m is unlikely to help coax top target Bryan Mbuemo away from Brentford, the Magpies could use the money to at least afford a back up option to Alexander Isak from abroad.
Begs the question why did we bring Lloyd Kelly to the club in the first place ,on the subject of transfers, another window with no additions to the squad can we really not afford any signings at all,I’m starting to think Mitchell is an absolute muppet
Colin Reid(Quote)
Just starting to think it ? He’s a ****ing wages thief.
Paxx(Quote)
To many fan’s looking to make Mitchell the scapegoat here damage was done before he started, and let’s not forget Ashworth made noises about trading, as much as I like Howe brutal reality his over the top loyalty to certain players still at the club is starting to bite us now and Staveley backed him to much instead of taking a deep breath and a step back because she knew the FFP rules were there
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Surely it should be “There HAVE been some major developments …”
Come on Olly. Maybe you’re taking them a bit too young!
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
Bizarre signing thought it when we signed him still think it now
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Gotta laugh at the Mitchell haters as Darren pointed out that window was planned for and targets set way before he was employed that and what he said about Howe hits the nail on the head for me.
Judge Mitchell after the summer window as it looks like we’re passing on this one, his academy recruiting looks to be spot on so far and hopefully he can replicate it in the summer for the first team.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
This goes back to the season we finished 4th giving Almiron a fat contract before the cup final why, we all knew that was a position we needed to upgrade, as I’ve mentioned previously well believe the reports Ashworth wanted to start trading, Staveley giving Targett 100 grand a week to please Howe, and intervening in the Jolinton contract and suddenly he signs on massive wages that was probably the time to cash in which could mean we keep Anderson a better footballer than Joelinton IMO, Burn and Schar still your center halfs no pace with them two, we’ve had two sporting directors raising concerns this that’s telling us something
Darren Bebb(Quote)