Now that the Premier League season is over, Newcastle United are looking to get off to a fast start in the transfer window.
After beating Brentford 4-2 to end the 2023/24 season, now Newcastle United are working out how to make the 2024/25 campaign even better. Their plans may depend on what happens in the FA Cup final on Saturday, with a Manchester City win meaning that Eddie Howe’s side qualify for the Europa Conference League.
No matter what happens, Newcastle need to address their defensive issues ahead of next season. The Magpies have leaked far too many goals, while injuries have limited Howe’s options.
And those injuries will continue into next season, with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both possibly out of action for the rest of 2024 with ACL injuries.
Newcastle hoping to complete Lloyd Kelly deal
That is why Newcastle are looking at centre-backs, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly heavily linked as they prepare to become free agents. All the talk has been about Tosin as of late, with the Magpies in pole position to land the defender ahead of Manchester United.
But Kelly is also a player that Newcastle want to sign, having been the favourites to secure his signature for a while.
And, according to the Times, that deal could progress this week. They report that the Magpies are hoping they can finalise a deal to sign Kelly from Bournemouth this week.
That would be brilliant if Newcastle could get that deal wrapped up as soon as possible. Kelly moving to St James’ Park has looked inevitable for a long time, and Eddie Howe will be delighted if Toon officials can get that one over the line so soon after the end of the 2023/24 season.
Lloyd Kelly has said his Bournemouth goodbyes
With Kelly’s Bournemouth contract due to expire this summer, the 25-year-old has been saying his goodbyes at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola confirmed on Sunday that Kelly will be leaving the club, while the defender also took to Instagram to issue an emotional goodbye to the Cherries.
It could soon be goodbye Bournemouth, hello Newcastle United, as Howe closes in on the chance to work with Kelly again. He signed him when he was Bournemouth manager in 2019, and they could now be reunited five years later.
That reunion should help Kelly. He will know what to expect from the manager, while he should quickly become a player that Howe can trust.
Newcastle United already have one deal done
If Newcastle United do complete a deal to sign Kelly this week, he will become the second Toon signing of the summer.
That is because the first will be Lewis Hall, despite him already being part of the furniture at St James’ Park.
The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Newcastle from Chelsea, but the Magpies have an obligation to sign him for £28million. Hall will officially become a permanent Magpie when the transfer window opens, and it looks like he will be joined by Lloyd Kelly.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
