Newcastle United have banked £20million to help boost their summer transfer budget,
The 26-year-old only joined Newcastle last summer following his release from AFC Bournemouth but was limited to just four Premier League starts before moving to the Serie A giants on an initial loan deal in January.
The loan included an obligation to make the deal permanent this summer, subject to performance-related criteria.
It was first thought that a move was dependent on Juventus qualifying for Europe, which they achieved after finishing inside the Champions League spots. However, it is understood that the criteria was indeed appearance-based.
Kelly started 14 of his 16 matches during the regular season and is currently competing at the Club World Cup in America.
Lloyd Kelly officially completes permanent move to Juventus
Today (June 30) marks Kelly’s first day as a permanent Juventus player. Newcastle confirmed earlier this month: “Lloyd Kelly’s loan move to Juventus will become a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee on 30th June.”
Although the Magpies listed the transfer fee as ‘undisclosed’, it is understood to be worth around £20million after the initial loan fee plus bonuses related to Juventus qualifying for the Champions League.
It represents a significant profit for the Magpies, helping to remain compliant with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and boost the budget for this summer’s transfer window.
Eddie Howe on Lloyd Kelly’s exit
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe didn’t want to lose Kelly but recognised it made financial sense for the club.
The former England youth international was behind the likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall in the pecking order and on a sizeable weekly salary.
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“It wasn’t necessarily my decision to let him leave. I think it's very reluctant from our side because Lloyd's a player that just recently signed and we believed in him and his qualities,” Howe said. “[It is] slightly frustrating for him that he hadn't played more, but in part that is due to the form of the other players around him.
“But I think we're in the world and we have been this window of trying to manage PSR [Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules] and trying to make decisions that benefit us in the long term. And this is one of those decisions.
“Lloyd leaves with our best wishes. He's certainly had an exemplary attitude in his time here. I'm sure he'll do well in Italy and it's an exciting new challenge for him.”
Lloyd Kelly to make swift Premier League return?
Italian media outlets have been harsh to Kelly since he made the switch to Italy with Gazzetta dello Sport writer Mimmo Cugini calling him the “most disastrous signing in the history of Juventus”.
Earlier this month, a journalist from the same publication, Giovanni Albanese, claimed the Old Lady are ‘ready to put Kelly back on the transfer market’ having not been convinced by his loan spell.
Crystal Palace have been linked with Kelly but when asked about his future, Kelly replied: “I’m 100% focused on Juventus and doing well here. I want to remain in Turin for a long time.”
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