"He's a huge fan" - Journalist now drops claim on "Rolls-Royce" star Howe wants at Newcastle

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is a “huge fan” of Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, says transfer insider Pete O’Rourke.

Howe signed Kelly from Bristol City in a £13m deal back in 2019 when he was still in charge of the Cherries, and a reunion with the 23-year-old is now being mooted.

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are laying the groundwork to sign Kelly this summer, with the Magpies looking to bring him in regardless of what division they are playing in next season.

Howe may not get a free run at his former player, however, as West Ham are also thought to be admirers of the Bournemouth man.

The Telegraph reported at the end of December that the Hammers were hoping to recruit him in the January transfer window to ease their defensive crisis at the time, so it would not be a surprise if they were also keen on doing a deal in the summer.

You would imagine, though, that Bournemouth will be reluctant to sell, especially if they win promotion back to the Premier League.

Kelly has been a key player for them this season, captaining Scott Parker’s side on multiple occasions in the Championship.

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O’Rourke has told GIVEMESPORT that Howe is a huge fan of Kelly amid Newcastle’s reported interest in the English centre-back.

Speaking to GMS, the transfer insider said: “Eddie Howe knows everything about Lloyd Kelly. He signed him as Bournemouth manager; he’s a huge fan of the England U21 international.”

If he is available this summer, then Kelly could be a very shrewd acquisition. He is a player Howe obviously knows well and is a very versatile footballer.

As shown on Transfermarkt, the former Bristol City star has spent his career so far playing in central defence and