NEWCASTLE United are reportedly set to make a move for AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, according to the Daily Echo’s sister publication the Northern Echo.

Kelly has entered the final months of his deal at Vitality Stadium, enabling the 26-year-old to leave for nothing this summer.

Whilst clubs in England cannot approach Kelly until the end of his deal, Premier League sides Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the former Bristol City man.

Tottenham had a bid in the region of £20million rejected by Cherries on deadline day in August.

Teams based abroad can speak to players within the final six months of their contracts with a view to signing a pre-contract, just like Udinese did with Jordan Zemura last season.

Italian clubs AC Milan and Juventus have reportedly tracked Kelly, but that interest has seemingly cooled.

The Northern Echo report that Newcastle are keen to make a move for the defender as soon as the window opens.

Newcastle’s desire in signing Kelly stems from an injury-crisis that has ravaged their backline.

Centre-halves Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles have both suffered cruciate ligament injuries that will keep them out until after the 2024-25 season has started, necessitating further defensive reinforcements.

Of course, current Newcastle boss Eddie Howe worked with Kelly at Cherries.

The legendary Bournemouth manager brought Kelly to the club in 2019, with Cherries paying Bristol City a fee around £13million.

Into his fifth season at Vitality Stadium, Kelly has made 136 appearances for Cherries, captaining the side to promotion from the Championship in 2022.

However, Kelly was stripped of the captaincy last season under Gary O’Neil.

Versatile Kelly can play at either left-back or centre-back, boosting his value to any side.

It appears highly unlikely that Kelly will sign a new deal at Cherries, despite the club’s best efforts to tie the defender to a new deal.