Tottenham Hotspur may chase another centre back this summer but one target appears to have slipped through the net as the transfer window starts to move.
Tottenham’s season only ended last Sunday, securing Europa League football with a 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
With the strange post-season friendly against Newcastle United now out of the way, the transfer window will come into focus.
Ange Postecoglou has already outlined his plans to make big changes this summer.
A whole host of Tottenham players will be allowed to leave if offers arrive and Tottenham will surely have plenty of targets in mind.
Another centre back may be a target for Tottenham despite the arrival of Radu Dragusin in January.
Tottenham Hotspur to miss out on Lloyd Kelly
Tottenham have embraced the rise of left-footed centre backs with Micky van de Ven enjoying a superb debut season in the Premier League.
The Dutchman has endured occasional injury issues though and Tottenham may need another natural left-footed with pace to cover for Van de Ven.
Dragusin could play there but isn’t naturally left-footed and Ben Davies was exposed in that role against Arsenal with his lack of pace a problem.
Spurs are bound to have targets in mind, such as Torino’s Alessandro Buongiorno, but Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly represents an option closer to home.
Kelly is out of contract this summer and signing him on a free transfer from the Cherries is very appealing.
iNews now report that Tottenham have shown late interest in signing Kelly but Newcastle United appear to have won the race.
It’s stated that Newcastle now believe that a deal for Kelly has been clinched, fending off a hijack attempt from Tottenham.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe signed Kelly for Bournemouth back in 2019 and the pair now look set to reunite years after Howe hailed him as ‘outstanding’.
READ MORE: All seven Ange Postecoglou player exits as Tottenham manager and where they are now
No Matt Wells reunion for Kelly
A move to Tottenham would have seen Kelly reunite with Tottenham coach Matt Wells.
Wells coached Kelly at Bournemouth in the Scott Parker reign and is now a key part of Postecoglou’s coaching team at Tottenham.
Primarily charged with coaching Tottenham’s defenders, Wells may well have been looking forward to the idea of adding Kelly into the ranks.
A left-footed centre back who can also play at left back, Kelly ticked the boxes as a versatile, Premier League-proven and inexpensive target.
Kelly has suffered a number of injury problems though and we couldn’t blame Tottenham for not going beyond a certain number in an attempt to pip Newcastle to his signature.
Tottenham will move on and no doubt focus on other targets with Wells potentially having a new face or two to coach ahead of the Premier League return.