‘99.9% done’ – Newcastle United closing in on second summer signing after announcement

Lloyd Kelly is, according to Fabrizio Romano, “99.9%” a Newcastle United player.

Kelly’s departure from AFC Bournemouth is official on Wednesday. His contract expires on June 30. Although Roma and Atletico Madrid are among the teams interested in him, the Magpies are expected to prevail in the contest.

Head coach Eddie Howe, who acquired the 25-year-old from Bristol City in 2019 for a reported £13 million, is intimately acquainted with the player. Kelly captained the South Coast team that gained promotion back to the Premier League in 2021–22 after making 141 games.

GiveMeSport was informed by Romano that “with Lloyd Kelly, it’s completely different, because Kelly is 99.9% a new Newcastle player.”

I don’t think Kelly will change at all. Tosin will likely join Chelsea this summer, and Kelly will likely be Newcastle’s first summer acquisition.

Newcastle was once heavily favored to sign both Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo, but the deal fell through over the weekend as Chelsea intervened to set terms.

After taking a vacation, Adarabioyo returned to West London on Tuesday to finish the necessary papers and get his medical. When the 26-year-old’s Fulham contract expires on June 1, he will formally join.

By then, the Magpies also expect to have Kelly resolved. The former England under-21 player’s versatility, Premier League experience, and status as a free agent should all add up to a smart business move. He can play both left and center back.

Kelly’s injury history raises some concerns, though, and United cannot afford to lose another player in the backfield until later in the season, since both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are sidelined due to ACL problems.

Following Lewis Hall, who will sign a permanent contract from Chelsea after spending the previous season on loan at St James’ Park, Kelly is expected to be Newcastle’s second summer addition.

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