Having spent a total sum of £91.89m according to Transfermarkt during the recent January transfer window, Newcastle United and their new owners have shown that they are not reluctant to splash the cash on new players to help strengthen their squad.

With that in mind, it seems as though the Tyneside club may have already got a potential deal in mind to try and secure when the upcoming summer transfer window opens.

What's the talk?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O'Rourke had this to say on the possibility of Newcastle making a move to sign AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly when the summer transfer window opens.

He said:

"If Bournemouth don’t go up, I think Newcastle will revisit that one in the summer and they might even revisit it if Bournemouth do go up."

Toon manager Eddie Howe reportedly suggested Kelly as a potential transfer target for the club last month before opting to make a late swoop for Dan Burn.

Howe brought the 23-year-old to Bournemouth back in the 2019 summer transfer window from Bristol City in a deal worth a reported fee of £13m.

Since then, the Englishman has made a total of 76 appearances for the Cherries across all competitions, shipping in with two goals and four assists along the way.

With 25 league appearances under his belt so far this season in the Championship, Kelly has managed to earn himself an overall performance rating of 6.83 from WhoScored, which would make him Newcastle's joint-fifth highest rated player by the same metric alongside Joelinton.

Howe will be delighted

Taking all of this into account, Howe would surely be over the moon if his side were able to avoid relegation this season and then manage to secure the signing of Kelly when the transfer window opens.

Having played nine games under Howe's leadership, it would be interesting to see if the defender would be willing to link up with him again at Newcastle.

Also, from a Newcastle point of view, considering how they have three centre-backs in their squad at the moment that have hit the age of 30, it could be worth them bringing in a younger player like Kelly that can be a long-term option for them at the back.

Howe has a history of developing young players and the appeal of working with one of his former prospects is surely enticing, especially given the need for defensive reinforcements at St James' Park.

Whilst it remains to be seen how much Kelly would command, he would be a worthwhile addition to the Magpies, regardless of the division they are in next season.

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