Report: Eddie Howe Identifies Two Worrying Options to Replace Lloyd Kelly at Newcastle

To address PSR concerns, Newcastle United entered the January transfer window aiming to generate funds through player sales.

Miguel Almirón has officially completed an £11m transfer to MLS side Atlanta United, and now Lloyd Kelly appears to be following him out of St. James’ Park.

The Magpies have verbally agreed to sell Kelly to Juventus for a £15m fee. Just seven months after arriving on a free transfer, the 26-year-old seems set to depart.

Kelly’s £15m sale ranks among Newcastle’s top 10 biggest transfers—a remarkable piece of business by sporting director Paul Mitchell, who initially secured the defender for nothing.

However, Kelly’s exit leaves Newcastle with limited defensive options. While Eddie Howe has a plan, it may not be the one fans were hoping for.

Howe’s Solution to Replacing Kelly

Newcastle pursued Marc Guehi in the summer but failed to secure his signature. Since then, the club has been linked with numerous high-profile centre-backs.

However, with Sven Botman recovering from injury and Jamaal Lascelles also nearing a return, the urgency to bolster the defence has diminished.

Kelly’s imminent departure might suggest Newcastle will move for a replacement, but according to The Northern Echo, that is not the case.

The report claims Howe is comfortable letting Kelly leave, believing he already has sufficient cover at centre-back. Newcastle will not be signing a replacement until the summer.

Howe is reportedly confident that Emil Krafth and Lascelles can provide enough defensive depth in Kelly’s absence over the next 48 hours.

The Risk of Not Replacing Kelly

Newcastle are well aware of how injuries can derail a season. So far in the 2024/25 campaign, the Magpies have largely avoided major setbacks, but they remain active in three competitions.

With Kelly departing, the club is just one or two injuries away from a defensive crisis.

Botman has only just returned from a lengthy layoff, while Lascelles has yet to regain full fitness.

Krafth has occasionally filled in at centre-back, but his preferred role is on the right side of defence.

Opting not to replace Kelly this window is a significant gamble, especially if Howe’s contingency plan relies on players recovering from injuries.

Newcastle will receive a financial boost in the summer, allowing them to pursue top defensive targets with a larger budget.

However, delaying reinforcements until then could prove to be a costly decision.