Lloyd Kelly’s Juventus nightmare sinks to new low as Newcastle United wait for transfer green light

Lloyd Kelly, the Newcastle United loanee, has faced yet another challenging chapter in his turbulent start to life at Juventus.

The defender, who joined Newcastle on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth last summer, has struggled to find his footing in Serie A since making the move to Turin.

Having featured in seven matches for Juventus, Kelly’s performances have come under scrutiny, particularly in light of Newcastle’s defensive injury crisis. With key players like Lewis Hall and Sven Botman sidelined, some critics have questioned the decision to loan out Kelly, arguing that he could have provided much-needed cover for the Magpies during this difficult period.

Newcastle, however, have already secured a £3 million loan fee for Kelly’s services and are optimistic about finalizing a permanent deal worth £20 million at the end of the season.

This potential transfer hinges on specific conditions, but for now, Kelly’s struggles in Italy continue to dominate the narrative. His time at Juventus has been far from smooth, marked by a Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven and an early departure from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Empoli.

These setbacks have compounded the pressure on manager Thiago Motta, who is already under fire in Serie A.

The situation worsened for Kelly and Juventus last night as they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Atalanta. The match, broadcast live on television, exposed the team’s vulnerabilities and left fans and pundits alike questioning their ability to compete at the highest level.

Despite this heavy loss, Newcastle remain confident of securing a permanent deal for Kelly, thanks to a shrewd clause inserted into his loan agreement. Juventus can only avoid signing Kelly permanently if they fail to qualify for European competition next season.

Currently, Juventus hold a six-point lead over seventh-placed AS Roma, who sit just outside the European qualification spots. While their hopes of securing a Champions League place have taken a hit, they remain in contention for a spot in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

This means that, barring a dramatic collapse in the final stages of the season, Juventus are likely to meet the conditions required to trigger Kelly’s permanent transfer.

For Kelly, the pressure to perform has never been greater. His struggles in Italy have raised questions about his ability to adapt to the demands of Serie A, and the recent defeat to Atalanta has only added to the scrutiny.

However, the defender still has time to turn his fortunes around and prove his worth to both Juventus and Newcastle. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Kelly to see if he can rise to the occasion and help Juventus secure their place in European competition.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will be closely monitoring the situation, knowing that a successful outcome could net them a significant financial windfall. The £20 million fee would represent a substantial return on their investment, especially considering Kelly arrived on a free transfer.

For now, the focus remains on Juventus’ performance in the league and their ability to secure European qualification. If they succeed, Kelly’s nightmare start in Serie A could still have a happy ending for all parties involved.