Newcastle United now identify top transfer target

Newcastle United need to sign at least one centre-back this summer, and have now identified their top target.

The Magpies had previously planned to sign a new central defender when the transfer window opened, but their need was heightened when Sven Botman suffered an ACL injury that could sideline him for the rest of 2024.

And now that Jamaal Lascelles has experienced the same fate, another centre-back must join the team. He suffered an ACL injury during the 4-3 win over West Ham and could be out for the rest of the year.

PSR issues impacting Newcastle’s centre-back search

Newcastle clearly needed one, but they may now have to sign two new centre-backs. And, given PSR’s budgetary constraints, their budget may be unexpectedly pushed.

However, Newcastle may have found a way to counteract this by looking at players who will become free agents this summer.

Toon authorities have been seeking for a bargain and have located a Premier League defender who Eddie Howe knows well.

Newcastle United identify top transfer target

According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle United have revealed their top defensive target for the summer transfer season.
They claim that Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly is at the top of the club’s list, as the 25-year-old is set to become a free agent this summer.

 

He recently refused a new contract at the Vitality Stadium, and it appears that he will almost probably be available for free at the conclusion of the season.

Of course, a free transfer is never ‘free’. There is always a bigger signing on fee, and Newcastle know they will need to offer Kelly very good terms to tempt him to Tyneside.

But it has been claimed that the former Bristol City player is open to a move to St James’ Park, while the Magpies are currently the favourites to secure his signature.

Newcastle looked at Lloyd Kelly in January

The Magpies appear to be well placed to land Kelly on a free, having opted against paying a fee for him at the start of the year.

The Northern Echo report that Newcastle did consider making a move for Kelly during the January transfer window, but decided to put their interest on hold in the hope that he would let his Bournemouth contract run down.

That appears to be exactly what is happening, which makes a deal for Kelly all the more appealing.

Eddie Howe knows all about Kelly

There is also the Eddie Howe factor, with the Newcastle boss having worked with Kelly before. He was the one who brought him to Bournemouth from Bristol City, and now they could be reunited in the North East. If Kelly does arrive, there will immediately be a sense of trust between the manager and the player, which should help him hit the ground running

 

 

Kelly would also provide another strong voice in the dressing room and on the pitch, with the current Bournemouth captain previously describing himself as a ‘leader‘. Those leadership skills, combined with his versatility and looming free agent status, make this deal a no-brainer. It is easy to see why Kelly is Newcastle’s top centre-back target, and hopefully a deal can be agreed.