Lloyd Kelly could complete his move from AFC Bournemouth to Premier League rivals Newcastle United this week, perhaps paving the way for Ben Godfrey to depart Everton for Italy.
HITC knows that, after months of conjecture, the out-of-contract centre-back is on the approach of revealing where he will play next season.
Lloyd Kelly, who impressed under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth last season, was apparently on the radars of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Italian clubs AC Milan and Roma. Newcastle United could soon confirm Kelly’s reunion with former Cherries manager Eddie Howe.
According to HITC, Newcastle has reached an agreement with Kelly’s team on personal conditions. The former Bristol City defender is set to undergo medical tests this week before signing a five-year contract at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United set to seal Lloyd Kelly deal
Kelly, a left-footed centre-back who could help compensate for the loss of injured Sven Botman, joins Newcastle after the club failed to sign another free agency defender.Tosin Adarabioyo moved from Fulham to Chelsea on Friday.
Newcastle also considered Boca Juniors’ Nicolas Valentini. Valentini is another name to keep an eye on, as talks over a new contract with the Argentine giants stagnate.
“Lloydy’s done ever so well since I’ve been here,” Kelly’s former Bournemouth coach and former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate said during their time together on the South Coast (Daily Echo).
“He has talent. He has a lot of qualities that Premier League teams strive for. He has some strings to his bow now. He excels at both centre-half and left-back positions.
“As long as he keeps doing that, he may not stay at Bournemouth for long, because he’s a fantastic talent. He resembles a Rolls-Royce, doesn’t he? Lloydy’s got the potential to go higher.”
Ben Godfrey could leave Everton for Italy
Kelly’s move to Newcastle may lead to Ben Godfrey’s departure from Everton this summer.
Kelly resisted off late attempts from AC Milan and Roma to hijack the Magpies deal, as he had already given his word to Howe and co.
The Serie A duo could now turn their attention to Godfrey. Godfrey, who joined Everton from Norwich for £20 million four years ago, has expressed interest in Italy and declined offers to stay at the club.
Meanwhile, we reported in January that Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Luton, and Leeds were all interested in signing the versatile defender. Only Forest will play in the Premier League next season, but defeat to Southampton in the Championship play-off final may prevent Daniel Farke from reconnecting with his old Canaries colleagues at Elland Road.
Farke stated in 2019, one year before Godfrey’s big-money move to Merseyside, that even the best center-backs in the world would have made mistakes at the age of 19 or 20.
“The best ones learn. Ben is playing flawlessly, which is great.
“He’s a really emotional player. I appreciate that a lot because it suggests you can find another gear.”
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