First summer transfer now a 'done deal' in major boost to Newcastle's budget

Whilst Champions League football isn’t a certainty just yet, one thing that is certain is that it’s going to be big summer on Tyneside in terms of transfer activity.

A host of names have been linked with a move to the North East now our PSR issues have eased, but outgoings are always helpful to boost our budget as we prepare to spread costs across the arrival of a goalkeeper, centre-back, right winger and striker.

And the very first departure could be confirmed in as little as two weeks time, with significant updates on Lloyd Kelly's future arriving over the past 24 hours.

Big claims on Kelly transfer

According to fresh reports from the North East and Italy, it looks like Lloyd Kelly WILL complete a permanent move from Newcastle to Juventus in the coming weeks.

Kelly, who joined the Old Lady on loan with an obligation to buy back in January, had endured a mixed spell at Juventus for the first few weeks, leaving some in Turin questioning his arrival.

But the appointment of Igor Tudor has seen Kelly and Juventus steadily improve, and cement themselves as a strong contender to qualify for European football.

It had been reported that a top-six finishing - needed to secure Europe - was required to trigger a permanent move, but it seems this is not the case.

The Shields Gazette report that Newcastle sources have 'played down' any doubts around the obligation to buy being triggered, but a big update has arrived today from Il Biancanerot.

The Italian outlet that specialises in all things Juventus claim that the requirements for his permanent move are simple, insisting it is already a done deal based on appearances, NOT European qualification:

'Juventus looks to the future and does so with one more certainty: Lloyd Kelly will be a permanent Bianconero. No official announcement for now, but the reality is that the redemption from Newcastle has already taken place.

'And no, it has nothing to do with European cups. No clauses tied to the Champions League, Europa League or even the Conference. The fate of the young Englishman was already sealed, and his permanence in Turin is a question of… numbers. Appearances, to be precise.

'When the agreement between Juventus and Newcastle for the loan of Kelly was discussed , there was much speculation about the criteria for the automatic redemption. The most widespread narrative was linked to a “European” condition: if Juve had finished in one of the top seven positions, the redemption would have been triggered.

'But the truth is another, more subtle and also more interesting: among the clauses provided for, a minimum threshold of appearances in the season, easily reachable, triggered the obligation to purchase.’

Quick profit can only boost Toon transfer budget

Our PSR situation has clearly improved, but if we want to act efficiently in the upcoming summer transfer window, then freeing up funds and wages through Kelly’s departure is a welcome boost.

Eddie Howe had previously expressed regret and hints of sadness over seeing Lloyd Kelly leave so soon, but if the total fee worth a reported £20m helps push us to the next level defensively by helping us sign Marc Guehi or Dean Huijsen, then few can deny Kelly will have had an unexpectedly big impact in one way or another.