Newcastle United have already secured £20m summer deal as terms go public
Juventus have already triggered a permanent transfer for Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly, according to reports in Italy.
Kelly only joined Newcastle on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth last summer but after struggling to force his way into the starting XI was loaned to Juventus in January with a £20million obligation to buy.
It had been suggested that a deal for Kelly would only be triggered if Juve secured European qualification. But with three games of the Serie A campaign remaining, there are no guarantees Igor Tudor’s side will finish inside the top seven.
As it stands, Juventus sit fourth in the table, with only goal difference keeping them inside the Champions League places, while they are just four points away from dropping out of Europe altogether.
Juventus have triggered Lloyd Kelly deal - reports
That has created worry that Kelly’s switch to the Old Lady might not go through. However, fresh reports in Italy claim the performance-related criteria is based on appearances, not UEFA qualification.
The 26-year-old made 13 appearances for Juventus but missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Bologna due to a thigh issue. According to Il Bianconero, Kelly has made the required number of appearances, therefore triggering a permanent move.
The report reads: “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.”
Juventus break down Lloyd Kelly deal
After confirming the signing of Kelly, Juventus released an official statement breaking down the cost of the loan and permanent fee.
“Juventus Football Club S. p. A. announces that an agreement with Newcastle United Football Club for the temporary acquisition, until 30 June 2025, of the registration rights of the player Kelly Lloyd Casius has been reached for a consideration of €3 million (approx £2.5m) for sporting season 2024/2025, with additional costs of up to €0.8 million (approx £0.66m).
“The agreement further entails the obligation for Juventus to definitely acquire the player’s registration rights, subject to the achievement of certain sporting objective during the season 2024/2025. The agreed consideration for the definitive acquisition is €14.5 million (approx £12.0m), payable in three financial years, with additional costs of up to €2.7 million (approx £2.24m).
“This consideration may be increased up to a consideration of €6.5 million (approx £5.4m) over the duration of the player’s contract, upon the achievement of further performance objectives. Given the high probability of the conditions for the player’s acquisition being achieved, this transaction for accounting purposes, qualifies as a definitive effective acquisition from today for a total amount of €17.5 million (approx £14.5m), plus additional costs.
“It should be noted that the final evaluations about the accounting recognition of the transaction will be performed for the preparation of the Annual Financial Report as of 25 June 2025.”
What Eddie Howe said about Lloyd Kelly’s exit
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe didn’t want to lose Kelly but recognised it made financial sense for the club. The 26-year-old was behind the likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall in the pecking order and on a sizeable weekly salary.
“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,” Howe said.
“[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 [Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules] and trying to make decisions that benefit us in the long term. And this is one of those decisions.