Lloyd Kelly has not had the best of starts to life away from Newcastle United.
After failing to break into Newcastle United’s starting XI, Lloyd Kelly moved to Juventus in the latter stages of the January transfer window.
It was revealed that Kelly was unhappy at Newcastle after struggling for game time. The 26-year-old had only joined on a five-year deal six months prior.
The defender’s start to life at Juventus has been far from easy. Before making his debut, Italian media called Kelly a ‘bench player’ and did not back him to be a success at the Old Lady. His first appearance for the Italian giants came against Como in the Serie A but failed to impress in his 45-minute stint.
Juventus fans blasted Kelly after his debut and questioned why they had brought him in on loan in the first place. Things have now gotten even worse for Kelly after Juventus exited the Champions League following a 3-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
As he continues finding his feet in new surroundings, a recent report has revealed a hidden clause that could see Kelly return to Newcastle next season.
- READ MORE – Joleon Lescott gives his honest opinion on former Newcastle star Lloyd Kelly’s Champions League debut
Juventus’ requirement to sign Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle
After completing the loan move on deadline day, Juventus revealed that Kelly is ‘highly likely’ to join on a permanent transfer in the summer.
Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell showed off his impressive negotiation skills when it was revealed Kelly’s transfer has a sell-on clause included which could see the Magpies bag a bigger transfer fee in the coming years.
Now, according to tuttomercatoweb, Juventus must qualify for European football next season before Kelly completes his permanent move. The report states that it can be any European competition, including the Europa Conference League.
The Old Lady sit in fourth place in the Serie A, five points off AC Milan in seventh. With 13 games left in the season, it looks increasingly likely that Juventus will play some form of European football next season, therefore allowing Kelly to complete a permanent move away from Newcastle.
However, the clause means there is still a chance that Kelly could return to Newcastle if Juventus suffer a sudden dip in form which would see them finish outside the top six in the table. Despite their elimination from the Champions League, Serie A are still well positioned to receive another European place thanks to the UEFA coefficient rules.
- READ MORE – How Newcastle United insiders really feel about chances of Champions League football after deadline day
Newcastle would benefit if Lloyd Kelly returned
It’s fair to say that Kelly did not set the world alight in his limited minutes at Newcastle. The defender only played 10 Premier League games, mostly to see games out in the dying stages.
Ironically, Kelly could have enjoyed renewed game time at Newcastle had he decided to stay until the end of the season. Almost immediately after his departure, Sven Botman got injured and has been missing from action for the last two weeks. The Dutchman could also miss Newcastle’s game against Nottingham Forest after fans failed to spot Botman in training.
Elsewhere, Dan Burn had an injury scare in Newcastle’s FA Cup win against Birmingham when he went off citing a groin issue. He played in the Magpies 4-0 defeat to Manchester City but could have spent more time recovering if Kelly was still at the club.
Kelly is almost certain to leave Newcastle permanently in the summer, but the club would still benefit from having him available next season if there are more injury concerns. Injuries seem to be a big part of Newcastle’s seasons. So Eddie Howe would love all the help he can get.
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