Transfer expert Di Marzio has revealed that Juventus' first offer for Newcastle United's English center-back Lloyd Kelly has been met with a firm rejection from Newcastle. Newcastle United's asking price for the 26-year-old was in the region of €18-20 million, while Juventus' offer rested at €12-13 million, which is clearly a far cry from Newcastle United's expectations.
Lloyd Kelly joined Newcastle United as a free agent last summer, but has only made 13 appearances for the team so far. Despite his lack of appearances, Juventus have shown great interest in him and see him as a potential candidate to strengthen the team's back line. It is reported that Juve's sporting director Jontoli has been following Lloyd Kelly for a long time, and he could be Juve's final choice to strengthen the backline in the winter transfer window, and may even replace Tomori.
However, Newcastle United's valuation of Lloyd Kelly is apparently higher than Juventus' offer. Di Marzio notes that Newcastle's side are holding out for a floor of €18-20 million and are unwilling to compromise easily. This suggests that Juventus may need to increase their offer or seek other negotiating tactics to impress Newcastle United if they want to bring in the English center-back.
For Juventus, the arrival of Lloyd Kelly will strengthen the team's backline, providing more options and security. However, facing Newcastle United's firm stance, Juventus need to weigh the pros and cons and make a wise choice.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Kelly himself needs to think about his future. Despite his few appearances at Newcastle United, he is still recognized for his experience and strength in the Premier League. If Juventus are successful in bringing him in, he will be able to showcase his talent on a higher platform. However, this will require both clubs to reach an agreement in the negotiations.
