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Newcastle frontrunner in the race to sign Lloyd Kelly

Newcastle United may have to sign more than one defender in the summer window to replace Sven Botman. 

In an injury-hit campaign for the Magpies, the misery continues for them as Botman has picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the FA Cup loss against Manchester City.

It has been suggested that Botman will miss up to nine months, which is a massive blow for Newcastle as he will not only miss the rest of the season, the pre-season but also a major chunk of the 2024-25 season.

It also means that the Magpies will have to find adequate cover in his absence. According to a report from talkSPORT, the Magpies are frontrunners in the race to sign AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly in the summer window.

The 25-year-old has only a few months left on his current contract and there is no indication that he will sign a new one. It means the Magpies can sign him for free.

Also read: Newcastle will consider move for £35m defender – journalist. 

Newcastle must get deal done for Lloyd Kelly

Eddie Howe knows Kelly very well from his time at Bournemouth, and he can get the best out of him at Newcastle should he make the move.

Kelly has established himself as a fantastic Premier League defender and clubs like Tottenham and Liverpool have shown interest in him.

The financial part is something that should prompt the Magpies to get the deal sorted ahead of others. Newcastle are in a delicate situation with the Premier League’s PSR rules, and they may need to offload a few players to avoid any severe punishment.

It would be a big miss if they fail to sign a player of Lloyd’s calibre on a free transfer. He is a naturally left-footed defender and has been predominantly playing as a centre-half in the past few seasons. Gary O’Neil hailed him last season as “incredible”, and he would be a fantastic addition to the Tyneside club.

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