"Eddie Howe knows him very well" - Journalist drops claim as Newcastle could sign £13m leader

Lloyd Kelly‘s potential and the level he has been playing at makes him an appealing target for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United, believes transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Bournemouth defender is currently being linked with the Magpies in a move that would see him reunited with his former manager.

According to Football League World, Newcastle are interested in signing Kelly in the summer transfer window.

The same report states that the 23-year-old is a high-priority target for the Tyneside club after a stunning campaign with Bournemouth.

He has made over 30 appearances for the Cherries this season, playing a big role in their push for promotion, and has also captained the side on numerous occasions.

Kelly has been used as a centre-back in the current campaign; however, the Englishman can also play at left-back after making over 60 appearances there in his career.

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Jones thinks Kelly joining Newcastle makes sense given the Howe link, but the insider does not believe that is the only reason why the Premier League outfit will be after the ex-Bristol City man this summer.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Obviously, Eddie Howe knows him very well, and it’s not just that. It’s the potential that he’s got, the level he’s already playing at.”

Kelly is by no means a target that is out of sight for Newcastle, but bringing him in could be a tricky task.

If Bournemouth do get promoted this season, they will not want to lose their best defender going into the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Given how Kelly has been performing, you would also expect there to be competition from other top-flight clubs for his signature.

The Championship star, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for