Newcastle United consider move for former England U21 defender as Eddie Howe eyes reunion

Newcastle United enjoyed a busy transfer window which saw them strengthen their team in a number of areas including full back and midfield.

Eddie Howe’s side were amongst the biggest spenders in the division and they bolstered their squad by adding around £130m worth of talent.

But one notable position that Newcastle failed to invest in was the centre back area despite speculation surrounding the likes of Antonio Silva and Edmond Tapsoba.

Football journalist Fabrizo Romano described the pair as two players that Newcastle “love” but claimed the deals were impossible in the summer transfer window due to the FFP implications.

Former goalkeeper Shay Given added that he would have strengthened at centre back during an interview with Sky Sports and claimed Man United captain Harry Maguire would have been a suitable target.

But it appears that Eddie Howe has now turned his attention to another central defender and it is one that he has signed in a previous managerial stint.

Lloyd Kelly is the name on Howe’s radar according to Football Insider’s Pete O'Rourke, but the Magpies may not be on their own in the pursuit of the former England U21 player, who is also a target for both Tottenham and Liverpool.

Kelly is a versatile defender, who is blessed with the ability to play at either left back or centre back.  He made a name for himself at Bristol City when he emerged through the Championship club’s academy as a teenager and was signed by the Cherries in the summer of 2019 for £13m.

Kelly played just nine times during Howe’s time at Bournemouth as he suffered a ligament injury which ruled him out for most of his debut campaign.

But he played an important role for Bournemouth in the Championship under now-Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall and former Magpies captain Scott Parker. Kelly won promotion with Bournemouth in 2022 and featured 23 times as they beat the drop under Gary O’Neil.

The 24-year-old has just one season remaining on his exiting Bournemouth deal and the Cherries may consider cashing in on the Bristol born defender in January, rather than letting him go on a free transfer.

Centre back is an area that Howe may look to bolster in January, particularly if he can recruit Kelly at an affordable rate.

Newcastle’s main centre back duo is Sven Botman and Fabian Schar but their only other centre back options is Dan Burn, who is often utilised at left back and club captain Jamaal Lascelles.

Paul Dummett has been used at centre back in the past but he has made just three substitutes appearances in the league during the entirety of Howe’s time at Newcastle and his most recent one came in March 2022.