Howe eyes free-transfer raid for defensive duo
Adarabioyo and Kelly on Newcastle summer shortlist Out-of-contract players appeal in light of PSR fears
Newcastle United are looking into the possibility of signing Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth centre-back Lloyd Kelly.
Both are out of contract at the end of the season and Newcastle have identified them as potential summer targets after a series of recruitment meetings in recent weeks. Sources have told Telegraph Sport that Adarabioyo and Kelly have been scouted extensively and are on a shortlist of players.
The fact they would not command a transfer fee has made them especially attractive.
Fulham are still trying to persuade Adarabioyo to sign a new contract that would make him one of their best-paid players.
The 26-year-old has been a key player since arriving from Manchester City almost four years ago and has been talked about as a potential England international.
Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, West Ham United and Manchester United have all reportedly been interested in signing him. Adarabioyo made eight first-team appearances for City before a £2million move to Fulham in 2020.
Kelly is well known to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who signed him for Bournemouth for £13million from Bristol City in 2019.
The 25-year-old former England Under-21 international can play left-back as well as centre-back and has been linked with a move to the North East since January.
Newcastle were already planning to sign one centre-back in the summer, but are going to be without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles for up to nine months after both suffered injuries last month.
That has complicated their recruitment plans and with money tight because of profitability and sustainability concerns, free transfers are appealing.
There is likely to be a flurry of ins and outs before the end of June, which is when clubs need to show their accounts comply with PSR.
The likes of Miguel Almiron, Sean Longstaff, Martin Dubravka, Matt Targett and Callum Wilson face uncertain futures on Tyneside.
Newcastle could also sell winger Yankuba Minteh, who has enjoyed a successful loan spell with Feyenoord. Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has a release clause of around £100million and although Newcastle are relatively confident nobody will activate it, they recognise they are powerless to stop the Brazilian leaving if somebody does.
Striker Alexander Isak is also likely to attract interest, although the club are adamant they will reject any bids and the player – who has scored 21 goals this season – has stressed he is happy at Newcastle.