Newcastle United are reportedly “very confident” about finalizing a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly this week, despite losing out on Tosin Adarabioyo to a last-minute Chelsea offer, sources informed Football Insider. The club from the north-east has already submitted an offer for the 25-year-old Kelly, with further negotiations expected to continue throughout the week. Sources suggest that the deal could be completed as early as Friday, just before the Bournemouth defender’s contract expires at the end of the month.
Adarabioyo was close to agreeing terms with Newcastle, but Chelsea presented a more attractive offer, leading to his agreement to join them instead. He is now set to undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge in the coming days. Newcastle, having been confident about securing Adarabioyo, are now prioritizing the completion of the Kelly deal to avoid any last-minute complications.
Kelly, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2019 for £13 million, has made 141 appearances for the club in both the Premier League and the Championship. In the most recent season, he featured in 25 matches, with 23 of those in the Premier League, though injuries hampered his performances, causing him to miss 91 days and 17 games during the 2023-24 season.
Known for his versatility, Kelly can play both centre-back and left-back, a quality that Newcastle finds particularly valuable. He has emerged as a priority signing for the club, especially given his availability on a free transfer amid Newcastle’s financial constraints.