Newcastle United’s clever transfer clause with Juventus that should see Magpies net £20m

Newcastle United loanee Lloyd Kelly has encountered a challenging beginning to his time with Juventus. After making his move from AFC Bournemouth, the defender has faced criticism for his performances in both of his opening matches in Italy.

Despite being part of the team that secured a 2-1 victory over Como in his Serie A debut, Kelly was scrutinized for struggling in personal duels and physical battles on the pitch.

His second outing, in the Champions League play-offs against PSV Eindhoven, further highlighted these difficulties. Kelly was caught off-guard by former Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic, who turned past him in the box to score a crucial goal, leaving the final score at 2-1.

These early struggles have not gone unnoticed, as Italian media rated his debut with a disappointing score of 5.5, raising questions about his ability to adapt to the demands of Serie A and European football.

Newcastle United, however, are set to benefit financially from Kelly’s loan move to Juventus. The Magpies have already secured a £3 million loan fee for the player, and the total amount could rise significantly by the end of the season.

If Juventus qualify for a European competition next term, they will trigger a clause that requires them to make the move permanent, with Newcastle receiving an additional £20 million. According to sources in Turin, the transfer will automatically finalize once Juventus secures a European spot.

Currently, Juventus sits in fifth place in Serie A with 43 points and 14 matches remaining. This position would earn them a Europa League spot, while sixth place guarantees a Europa Conference League berth.

Juventus currently holds a five-point cushion over AC Milan, increasing their chances of meeting the required conditions to keep Kelly permanently.

Additionally, Juventus remains in contention for the Coppa Italia, a competition they won last season after defeating Atalanta 1-0 in the final. A victory in this tournament would secure a Europa League play-off spot, further solidifying Newcastle’s likelihood of receiving the full transfer fee.

Juventus also remains active in the Champions League, maintaining an outside chance of achieving a remarkable run in Europe. Combined with their ongoing domestic efforts to finish in the top four or secure a Europa League or Europa Conference League place, the odds appear favorable for Kelly’s transfer to become permanent by the end of the campaign.

For Kelly, however, his time in Turin has been far from smooth so far. He made his debut against Como in a 2-1 win, coming on as a substitute at half-time to replace Nicolo Savona in the right-back position.

Despite the victory, his performance drew criticism, with analysts highlighting his struggles in physical contests and defensive challenges. Italian media provided an underwhelming rating of 5.5 for his display, indicating the challenges he faces in adjusting to Juventus and the Italian game.

While Kelly’s future at Juventus seems contingent on the club’s success in securing European qualification, his performances will need to improve significantly to silence critics and establish himself as a valuable asset for Thiago Motta’s side.

Juventus, under Motta’s management, continues to push for domestic and European success, and Kelly’s ability to rise to the occasion will play a role in shaping his prospects in Turin.

For Newcastle, the situation represents a promising financial outcome. The potential £20 million windfall would provide the club with valuable resources for future investments.

As Juventus fights to secure European qualification and compete on multiple fronts, the financial and sporting stakes surrounding Kelly’s tenure in Italy remain high.

Whether he can overcome his initial struggles and justify his role in the squad will be critical in determining the long-term success of his move.

The combination of Juventus’ ongoing pursuits in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League creates multiple avenues for Kelly’s transfer to be finalized.

With the club still in contention for significant achievements, the likelihood of Newcastle reaping the full financial rewards appears increasingly probable.

However, Kelly’s own performances will need to improve if he hopes to solidify his place at Juventus and move beyond the early challenges he has faced in his stint abroad.