'99.9% done' - Newcastle United closing in on second summer signing after announcement

Fabrizio Romano has claimed Lloyd Kelly is “99.9%’ a Newcastle United player.

AFC Bournemouth confirmed on Wednesday that Kelly will depart when his contract expires on June 30. He has attracted interest from across Europe, including Roma and Atletico Madrid, but the Magpies are set to win the race.

The 25-year-old is well known to head coach Eddie Howe, who signed him for the Cherries for £13million from Bristol City in 2019. Kelly made 141 appearances for the South Coast club and was captain when they won promotion back to the Premier League in 2021-22.

“With Lloyd Kelly, it’s completely different, because Kelly is 99.9% a new Newcastle player,” Romano told GiveMeSport. I don't expect any change on Kelly. I think Kelly will be the first signing of Newcastle this summer, and Tosin will be the new Chelsea player.”

At one stage, Newcastle had been strong favourites to sign Tosin Adarabioyo as well as Kelly, however the move broke down over the weekend after Chelsea swooped in to agree terms.

Adarabioyo has been on holiday but arrived back in West London on Tuesday to undergo his medical and complete the formalities. The 26-year-old will officially join on June 1 when his contract at Fulham ends.

The Magpies too will hope to have Kelly wrapped up by then. The former England under-21s can play at centre-back or left-back, with his versality, Premier League experience and free agent status hopefully equalling in a shrewd piece of business.

Although, one question mark over Kelly is his injury record, and United can’t afford another absentee in the backline with both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles out with ACL injuries until later this year.

Kelly is set to become Newcastle’s second summer signing behind Lewis Hall, who will join on a permanent deal from Chelsea after spending last season on loan at St James’ Park.