'Hearing things' - Newcastle United transfer bombshell hours after St James' Park appearance

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Eddie Howe has explained why Newcastle United cashed in on Lloyd Kelly, just six months after signing him.

The 26-year-old joined the Magpies on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth in the summer but started just four Premier League games with the likes Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall ahead in the pecking order.

Juventus has agreed to pay £20million for Kelly at the end his initial loan spell in the summer, a deal that benefits Newcastle’s financial position under Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

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Howe said: “It wasn’t necessarily my decision to let him leave. I think it's very reluctant from our side because Lloyd's a player that just recently signed and we believed in him and his qualities.

“[It is] slightly frustrating for him that he hadn't played more, but in part that is due to the form of the other players around him.

“But I think we're in the world and we have been this window of trying to manage PSR and trying to make decisions that benefit us in the long term. And this is one of those decisions.

“Lloyd leaves with our best wishes. He's certainly had an exemplary attitude in his time here. I'm sure he'll do well in Italy and it's an exciting new challenge for him.”

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Kelly was expected to stay after being introduced as a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at St James’ Park. But a few hours after full-time, news broke of Juventus’ interest.

Asked how the interest came about, Howe said: “Yeah, probably similar to how it broke to everybody else. Hearing things through the correct channels that there's an interest in Lloyd and it's getting to the levels that the club will listen to.

“Obviously, regarding Saturday, I was treating Lloyd like I would any other player and trying to make the best decision to help us in the game.”

With Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Burn and Botman available at centre-back, and Hall and Matt Targett fit at left-back, Howe admits United could afford to lose Kelly.

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“I think our defensive strength is an area of the squad that's, touchwood at the moment, pretty good,” Howe said. “Obviously, we have Jamaal Lascelles still working his way back to fitness. He's still going to be a few weeks behind where we are currently, but yes, I think that strength and depth will help us.

“Obviously, we have a couple of left-sided centre-halves that you mentioned there that are really strong and playing well. But obviously, it takes away a little bit of our depth and leaves us stretched if we get any injuries.”

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