Newcastle United have been given a decision to make regarding Lloyd Kelly.
The defender only joined Newcastle United in the summer, but is already being linked with a move away.
News broke on Tuesday that Fenerbahce had made a bid for Lloyd Kelly, with Jose Mourinho swooping in for a player who is on the fringes at St James’ Park.
However, Fenerbahce’s Kelly bid was rejected.
While Newcastle will listen to offers for a player who has slipped down the pecking order, Fenerbahce’s proposal was nowhere near acceptable.
Newcastle United fans debate selling Lloyd Kelly in January
Talk of Lloyd Kelly leaving St James’ Park has come as a surprise, but a lot of Toon supporters believe that Newcastle United should cash in this month.
Newcastle United fans have reacted to Fenerbahce’s bid for Kelly on X (formally known as Twitter), many of which believe the 26-year-old should be sold.
This fan wrote on X: “Lloyd Kelly signing was absolutely not a mistake as some have branded it. Targett wasn’t fit, Botman wasn’t fit, we needed that cover. What would be a mistake is not cashing in on him now. Pointless carrying 3 left sided CBs and 3 players who can play left back.”
A second Newcastle fan added: “If we get a good offer from Fenerbahce for Lloyd Kelly, it’s a deal worth considering. Haven’t been particularly impressed with his performances. As a squad player, I accept that he less likely to meet the performances of our starters, but I just don’t see him lasting long.”
Another member of the Toon Army asked: “Really rated Lloyd Kelly as a free signing as he provides ‘squad’ cover in two positions. But surely we have to consider a bid for a player we’ll get pure profit from?”
“Seems slightly crazy to turn down a bid for a player bought on a free when we have players returning that can cover his position. I’m baffled by our business especially when it comes to outgoings,” wrote a fourth Newcastle supporter.
“They can’t bemoan PSR restrictions and then refuse to trade anyone,” added this fan.
Finally, this Toon supporter thinks cashing in on Kelly would be ‘great business’, writing: “Obviously if the bid is low totally understand, but we really should cash in on Kelly. It would be great business from the club, leaves us with Burn, Botman and Schar all to rotate with emergency centre-back options in Trippier, Krafth and even [Alex] Murphy as our sixth choice.”
Why Newcastle United rejected Lloyd Kelly offer
It is understandable why some Toon fans think Kelly should be sold.
He is now the third-choice left-sided centre-back behind Dan Burn and Sven Botman, while Newcastle United must sell before they buy due to PSR.
Paul Mitchell needs to make Newcastle better sellers, as they have struggled to move players on in recent years.
In that respect, some Toon fans think the club should take this opportunity to get rid of Kelly.
However, there is only value in selling a player if the offer is adequate. That was seemingly not the case when Fenerbahce came to the table with a bid for Kelly.
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has stated on X that Fenerbahce’s offer was simply too low.
He wrote: “I can see why people are saying Newcastle should sell but Kelly offers cover at two positions and you only sell if it will enable you to strengthen. Fenerbahce’s opening bid was so low, it was easy decision to reject.”
Unless a decent offer comes in that can help Newcastle move the needle in terms of PSR, they should keep Kelly. He is a solid squad player who can cover centre-back and left-back.
While Newcastle do need to become better sellers, that does not mean the club should merely accept any offer that comes in for a fringe player. The terms have to be right, which was not the case with Fenerbahce’s Kelly offer.
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