Report: Newcastle planning summer bid for Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly

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Newcastle United will continue to monitor Lloyd Kelly as they weigh up a move for the centre-back during the summer, according to a report from the Sunday Mirror (6/2; page 65).

Eddie Howe was keen to be reunited with Kelly during the January transfer window. However, Bournemouth’s promotion push meant that the Cherries dug their heels in and kept the 23-year-old.

It was Howe who signed the defender. And he is now looking to bring Kelly to Newcastle in the summer, having only managed to sign one centre-back last month.

The Sunday Mirror (6/2; page 65) suggests that the likelihood of Newcastle signing Kelly may depend on whether the Magpies stay in the Premier League, while Scott Parker’s side miss out on joining them.

As things stand, Bournemouth sit third in the table. However, they are one point adrift of Blackburn with two games in hand. Fulham meanwhile, are starting to put some distance between themselves and the rest.

Adding Lloyd Kelly to new-look defence would be another smart move from Newcastle

Kelly would be an exciting signing for Newcastle. He has been a stalwart of the Championship’s most ruthless defence this season. They have only conceded 24 goals in their 28 games.

Kelly has been described as a ‘Rolls-Royce‘ by former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate. He worked with the former England under-21 international during his time as interim Bournemouth boss.

Newcastle did a fantastic job of strengthening their defence in January. They have secured upgrades in three positions, with Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett all signing.

And adding Kelly would be another smart piece of business – depending on how much his club would want.

He is still a young player. And he has come on considerably since the Cherries were relegated to the Championship. He will surely have his sights set on another opportunity in the top-flight.

Newcastle could be the ones to offer him that – should they stay up.