Eddie Howe has really good relationship with 25-year-old defender and wants to sign him for Newcastle

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Newcastle United will look to sign a centre-back this summer, and a potential target appears to have emerged in Lloyd Kelly.

It has been reported that Newcastle are interested in signing the 25-year-old defender, with the Daily Mail claiming that the Magpies are considering a move for him.

The Bournemouth centre-back will be a man in demand this summer unless something changes. That is because his contract at the Vitality Stadium expires at the end of the season, meaning he will be available on a free transfer.

That will appeal to Newcastle, who have been struggling to splash the cash due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Lloyd Kelly is a player who the Magpies have targeted before, and he is actually someone who Eddie Howe has signed before. He was the Bournemouth manager when Kelly moved there from Bristol City.

Now a reunion in the North East could be on the cards, and the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has provided an update on what he knows about Newcastle’s interest in Kelly.

Eddie Howe has a ‘good relationship’ with Lloyd Kelly

Hope took to X to comment on Newcastle being linked with Kelly.

He wrote: “Bournemouth pair Lloyd Kelly & Philip Billing on NUFC list ahead of summer. Kelly is free & has good relationship with Howe. Makes a lot of sense, but there will be competition.”

Positive relationship could help Newcastle complete deal

Hope believes that Newcastle showing an interest in Kelly makes a lot of sense, and that certainly is the case. He has been a long-term target for the Magpies, ever since Eddie Howe became manager at St James’ Park.

In fact, he was viewed as a likely signing in the first transfer window after the club was taken over. However, a deal did not come to fruition in January 2022.

Now it is 2024, and Kelly is still a target for Howe. That is no surprise, as Howe was previously full of praise for the defender back when he was Bournemouth boss.

The fact that he could be available on a free is also very appealing, and it could give us an advantage.

With no transfer fee required, it could all come down to who Kelly wants to play for, so perhaps the opportunity to work under Howe again could be very appealing.