Lloyd Kelly has been linked with a sensational return to the Premier League just over a month after securing a permanent exit from Newcastle United.
Kelly joined Newcastle on a free transfer last summer but only made four Premier League starts before being loaned out to Juventus in January.
The defender’s loan move to Juventus was made permanent this summer in a deal that could make Newcastle up to £20million.
But reports from Italy have emerged claiming Juventus are considering selling the 26-year-old already.
Juventus consider Lloyd Kelly sale
With Juventus pushing to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain after loaning him last season but will need sales to facilitate the potential move.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Juventus will need one significant player sale in order to cover the fee of signing Kolo Muani on loan again with an option to buy. As such, Kelly has been linked with a swift exit from the Turin club.
Kelly made 19 appearances for Juventus during his loan spell and is currently preparing for the new Serie A campaign which starts a week on Sunday.
But the versatile could be making a swift return to England, if reports from Italy are to be believed.
Shock Lloyd Kelly inquiry made
La Gazzetta dello Sport have claimed Newcastle’s newly-promoted rivals Sunderland have made an inquiry for Kelly as they look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Black Cats have been active in the transfer market this summer but are looking to sign some proven Premier League talent as they look to beat the drop.
The report claims Juventus value Kelly at around £17million and could be forced into a sale in order to bring in more players before the end of the transfer window.
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NUFC reluctant Lloyd Kelly sale
Eddie Howe signed Kelly for AFC Bournemouth back in 2019 and again for Newcastle in 2024 before relucantly agreeing to his exit in January.
Kelly’s loan to Juventus included a performance-related obligation to buy which was met during the 2024/25 season and the transfer became permanent on June 30. Six weeks later and he is being linked with an exit.
Reflecting on Kelly’s departure, Howe said: “I don't think it was necessarily my decision to let him leave.
“We were very reluctant from our side. Lloyd is a player who has just recently signed and we believed in him and his qualities. It was frustrating for him that he hadn't played more, in part down to the other players around him.
“But we are in the world and we have been in this window of trying to manage PSR and trying to make decisions that will benefit us in the long term. This is one of those decisions.
“Lloyd leaves with our best wishes. I'm sure he'll do well in Italy and it's an exciting challenge for him.”
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