Newcastle set to complete double centre-back swoop
Newcastle United are inching closer to the signing of AFC Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly and Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo, per multiple sources.
Eddie Howe’s side finished seventh in the Premier League after a rocky start to the season. Barring Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, no Newcastle defender made over 30 starts in the league.
A severely short-staffed defensive roster impacted the Magpies’ European charge as well as their league exploits. And to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the club are weighing in on the free transfers of experienced defenders Kelly and Tosin.
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, the latter is on the verge of signing with Newcastle after progress was made in talks this week.
Tosin, 26, has been a rock at the back for Fulham in the top-flight. He made 22 appearances for the Cottagers this season as Marco Silva’s side secured their Premier League status after a mid table finish.
The Manchester City academy prospect turned down a contract extension at Fulham as he looks for a new challenge in his career.
He’s understood to be excited to work under Howe in the present Newcastle project, and with Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman poised to miss a chunk of the 2024/25 season owing to their ACL injuries, Tosin is likely to make the starting XI often and stand a chance to secure his spot.
Another player who would be enthused by a reunion with Howe is Kelly.
The 25-year-old has amassed 11 appearances for the Cherries and spent time with Howe in the 2019/20 season – his first for the club since joining from Bristol City.
He remains sidelined with a hip injury but would be another shrewd signing for Newcastle after his contract winds down next month.
Both the acquisitions of Kelly and Tosin are nearly done as far as the Toon are concerned. They’re both exceptional ball-playing centre-halves who have proven their fit in the division and are at a ripe age to test themselves in a team chasing Europe.
Newcastle beat Tottenham Hotspur – another club supposedly interested in Kelly – on penalties in a surprising post-season friendly in Melbourne. Alexander Isak and James Maddison scored in the 1-1 draw.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Ardfern. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.