Report: Liverpool join Newcastle in race to sign £13million Championship star

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The Mail claim Newcastle are not the only side interested in raiding Bournemouth to sign defender Lloyd Kelly, but that Liverpool are also said to be keen on bringing in Kelly to add depth at Anfield.

Kelly, 23, has been linked with a move to Newcastle ever since Eddie Howe was brought in as Toon manager. Howe signed Kelly from Bristol City at Bournemouth in the summer of 2019, for a fee of £13million (Sky Sports).

A long-term knee injury stuttered the England Under-21 star’s rapid rise – in which he broke through the Bristol City academy to play 48 times at senior level. He has overcome the knee problem.

Since relegation to the Championship, Kelly has played 59 of his 68 Bournemouth appearances. Jonathan Woodgate described the versatile defender as a “Rolls Royce”, during his brief spell in charge earlier this year.

Now, Premier League clubs are circling. Howe wants a reunion at Newcastle but Liverpool are long-term admirers and it is believed they remain interested in Kelly. It is unclear how much Bournemouth would want.

Newcastle and Liverpool eye Kelly: Toon move best for his career

It is quite clear that Kelly is better than the Championship. He needs to be playing in the Premier League – but he would not be doing that at Liverpool. Rather, he would be back-up to the back-up.

Nat Phillips is fifth choice and his performance at the San Siro on Tuesday night shows the strength in depth. For the Englishman to be fifth in the pecking order, but that good, shows Liverpool’s riches of talent.

But at Newcastle, with Howe playing three at the back and needing a right-sided, ball-playing defender that can also cover right-back – Kelly is ideal. Anything less than £20million is worth pursuing.