Newcastle are seriously considering signing Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer, according to the Daily Mail.

The 25-year-old is expected to leave the Cherries when his contract expires in the summer, and he has been attracting interest from plenty of clubs.

In addition to the Magpies, it is believed that Liverpool, Tottenham, Stuttgart, AC Milan and Monaco are all vying for Kelly’s services.

The defender was signed by Eddie Howe when he was Bournemouth boss but injuries restricted him to just nine appearances before Howe left his job as manager of the south coast club in the summer of 2020.

Kelly’s fitness record is rather concerning. Since moving to the Vitality Stadium four and a half years ago, the centre-back has been sidelined for 401 days.

However, the fact that the former England Under 21 international is now available on a free makes it less of a risk.

Kelly has been described as “incredible” by a previous manager

Ex-Bournemouth head coach Gary O’Neil praised Kelly after keeping Liverpool forward Mo Salah quiet during a 1-0 win last March:

“I thought Lloyd was incredible. I think he had a 12-week ankle injury followed by a six-week calf injury. Didn’t have much time in between, and then came back today having not trained much, to play left back against one of the best wingers in the world.”

“I thought he showed everything, the potential he has to be a top defender. I thought it was a very, very impressive performance against a top attacker.”

Newcastle could target another Bournemouth player

In addition to Kelly, the Daily Mail report that Philip Billing is also someone on the Magpies’s radar, with the player being eyed as a replacement for Joelinton, who could leave St James’ Park this summer.

Billing has also worked under Howe before, and the Denmark international could be available for around £15m.

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