Leeds United have emerged as a concrete suitor for Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly, just as his future in Turin becomes uncertain again.
Italian journalist Marco Conterio reports that Kelly could leave Juventus in this transfer window, with interest arriving from Spain and England. Leeds are the English club specifically named, with Conterio saying they have shown “concrete interest” in the 27-year-old.
That gives Leeds a fresh route to a player who has already been followed closely by Premier League clubs this summer. We have covered Aston Villa and Newcastle interest in Kelly over recent months, after he finished the season with Juventus.
Juventus assessing the market
Lloyd Kelly only joined Juventus permanently this summer, after his loan move from Newcastle United included an obligation to buy.
That deal was worth €3m (£2.6m) for the loan, then €14.5m (£12.4m) for the permanent transfer, with a further €6.5m (£5.6m) possible in add-ons. So this would be a quick turnaround if Juventus decide to sell.
Conterio makes clear Juventus have no urgent need to record a capital gain before June 30. Even so, the club are trying to understand whether important offers will arrive for players in their squad before that deadline.
Kelly appears to be one of the players they are willing to consider.
Why Leeds could make sense
If you don’t remember him from his Bournemouth days, Lloyd Kelly would bring Leeds top-flight physicality and flexibility across the back line. He can play as a left-sided centre-back and also at left-back.
He is now under contract with Juventus until 2029, so Leeds would need Juventus to be realistic on price.
Kelly played regularly for Juventus last season. He made 34 Serie A appearances, scoring once and adding one assist. So that suggests this is not simply a fringe player being pushed out.
Either way, Leeds’ interest is presented as concrete, but not yet advanced. Juventus are checking the market, and clubs in Spain are also said to be keen.
Still, Leeds being named is notable. Aston Villa and Newcastle had already been linked after Kelly’s Juventus campaign, and now another English route has opened. And this is exactly the sort of opportunistic deal the Whites would like to explore.
The next step is seeing whether Juventus receive the “important” offer they appear to be waiting for.