Bombshell transfer claim just days after Newcastle United confirm agreement
The whirlwind journey of Lloyd Kelly’s career has taken another unexpected turn, with the defender’s permanent move to Juventus from Newcastle United now potentially ending before it officially begins.
The 26-year-old center-back, who only joined the Italian giants on loan in January, finds himself at the center of growing speculation about his future despite meeting all requirements to trigger his £20 million transfer.
Kelly’s switch to Turin contained carefully structured clauses that made the deal permanent based on appearances and Juventus’ European qualification.
The England-capped defender comfortably fulfilled these conditions, starting 14 of his 16 available matches and helping secure Champions League football for his new club.
His contributions came despite battling a hamstring injury that sidelined him briefly, showing resilience during a turbulent period that saw manager Thiago Motta replaced by Igor Tudor midway through his loan spell.
Newcastle’s Reluctant Farewell
Eddie Howe’s emotional comments upon Kelly’s departure revealed the complex financial realities forcing Newcastle’s hand. The Magpies manager, who first signed Kelly for Bournemouth in 2017 before reuniting with him at St James’ Park last summer, admitted the decision was driven by Profit and Sustainability Rules rather than footballing merit.
“It wasn’t necessarily my decision to let him leave,” Howe confessed, praising Kelly’s exemplary attitude during his brief Newcastle tenure. The £20 million fee represents pure profit on Newcastle’s books after signing him on a free transfer, providing crucial financial breathing room despite weakening defensive depth.
Italian media have been merciless in their assessment of Kelly’s performances, with Gazzetta dello Sport’s Mimmo Cugini delivering the brutal verdict that he represents “the most disastrous signing in Juventus history.”
This scathing criticism seems disproportionate for a player who helped stabilize Juventus’ backline during their push for Champions League qualification, particularly given the managerial upheaval he endured.
Giovanni Albanese’s subsequent claim that Juventus are “ready to put Kelly back on the transfer market” suggests the club’s new hierarchy under Tudor may be preparing to cut their losses before the defender even officially becomes their player on June 30th.
Kelly now faces the bizarre scenario of potentially being sold by Juventus before his permanent registration completes.
The defender is currently preparing for Juventus’ Club World Cup campaign in the United States, where matches against Al Ain, Wydad AC, and Manchester City could serve as either an audition for new suitors or an opportunity to convince Tudor of his worth.
The situation highlights the precarious nature of modern football transfers, where players become financial assets as much as sporting ones.
For Kelly, who turned down longer-term Premier League offers last summer to join Newcastle, this latest development represents another career crossroads.
Whether he remains to fight for his place under Tudor, secures another Serie A move, or returns to England, his Juventus adventure may become one of the shortest permanent transfers in recent memory – a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in elite football.
As the summer window progresses, Kelly’s predicament will serve as a case study in how managerial changes, financial pressures, and media narratives can converge to reshape a player’s trajectory overnight.
For Newcastle, the episode validates their decision to cash in when possible, while for Juventus, it raises questions about their recruitment strategy during a turbulent transitional period.