Newcastle United official bid claim after transfer 'approach' for 26-year-old
Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly is reportedly wanted by Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbache.
Fenerbahce have made an offer to sign Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly, according to reports in Turkey.
The 26-year-old joined the Magpies on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth in the summer but his game time has been limited due to the form of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar at centre-back, and Lewis Hall at left-back. Sven Botman has also recently returned from a long-term knee injury.
Kelly started Sunday’s FA Cup third round win over Bromley but is expected to return to the bench for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to St James’ Park on Wednesday. His last Premier League start came in November when United lost 2-0 at home to West Ham United.
According to Haber Global’s Sercan Hamzaoglu, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have submitted an official offer for Kelly, and negotiations are ongoing.
Take with a pinch of salt
Newcastle defenders being linked with a move to Turkey isn’t exactly anything new. Rewind back 12 months and Jamaal Lascelles was supposedly on the verge of moving.
Kelly hasn’t yet got the game time he would like on Tyneside but a departure, just six months into his five-year contract, feels unlikely.
Speaking about Kelly recently, Howe said: “Yeah it has [been a difficult start for Lloyd] but I think that has been down to the form of the lads that have played.
“Lloyd is a versatile player, he can play a number of positions. I think the form of Dan and Fabian at the heart of the defence has been really strong, especially of late, I think we look good defensively so I think that is always a position that is difficult for us to rotate too much.
“I prefer to keep a settled back four and to not chop and change. I think the stability of your team is based on relationships but Lloyd is training hard, he’s training very well and he’s waiting for his chance.”
Howe also said as recently as Sunday that he doesn’t want to talk about losing players.
“I don't really want to talk about players leaving too much because we have a small squad,” he said. We lost Harvey [Barnes] today with an injury, that makes us even tighter with numbers so I don't really think that's in my mind in terms of letting too many players go.”