Newcastle United and Liverpool target turns down new contract - set for free transfer

Newcastle United are interested in signing AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly this summer with the former Eddie Howe signing set to become a free agent.

The Magpies are looking to bolster their defensive options during the upcoming transfer window with both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles ruled out until September at the earliest because of ACL injuries.

It means United will begin the 2024-25 campaign without two senior central defenders, leaving just Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Paul Dummett, although the latter is out-of-contract - as it stands - in coming months.

And Kelly, who Howe recruited for Bournemouth in 2019, has emerged as a target. The 25-year-old’s current contract is due to expire at the end of June and according to HITC, he has turned down the Cherries’ latest offer.

It’s claimed Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have shown interest in Kelly, while Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus have also been in touch - but it is Newcastle who are rumoured to be frontrunners.

Kelly started his career at Championship side Bristol City, making 48 appearances before joining Bournemouth as a 20-year-old in a £13million transfer.

The former England under-21s international has appeared 136 times for the South Coast outfit and was captain when they were promoted back to the Premier League in 2021-22.

Gaining Kelly’s age, experience and versality, possessing the ability to play at centre-back or left-back, on a free transfer would make a lot of sense for Newcastle when you consider the impact Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) will again have this summer.

But one thing to note about Kelly is his mixed injury record which has caused him to miss 29 matches across the previous two Premier League seasons. Howe’s side have suffered badly with injuries this campaign and will want to avoid any kind of repeat next term.