As one set of transfer negotiations ends, another continues for Newcastle United.
The Magpies are now out of the race to sign Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer, with the 26-year-old now deciding to join Chelsea.
It is a major blow for Newcastle United, who felt for a long time that they had a deal wrapped up to bring Tosin to Tyneside. However, he will remain in West London instead as he swaps Fulham for Chelsea.
Given how confident Newcastle were of completing this deal, it is massively disappointing. However, it is not the end of the world. Eddie Howe’s side have other irons in the fire, and are set for more talks with another one of their key transfer targets.
Newcastle looking to make Lloyd Kelly progress after Tosin snub
Tosin might not be joining, but it still seems likely that Newcastle United’s other centre-back target Lloyd Kelly will.
His move from Bournemouth has always felt like the most probable, and now the Magpies are set to advance negotiations in attempt to quickly complete this deal.
That is according to the Telegraph, who report that there will be more talks between Kelly and Newcastle United this week.
They add that Eddie Howe’s side are confident about bringing Kelly to St James’ Park, and are hoping to complete a deal this week.
This deal will have been more pressing for Eddie Howe and Newcastle
In an ideal world, Newcastle would sign Tosin and Kelly on frees. Getting both would have really beefed up their defensive department, providing the cover they need amid Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles’ injury absence.
Looking at the bigger picture, Newcastle will eventually need someone to replace Fabian Schar and become Botman’s long-term partner at the back. Tosin could have been that, but he has chosen to go elsewhere.
But that will give the Magpies the chance to look elsewhere, with plenty other possibilities available. For Tosin, would he really have been so appealing if he wasn’t on a free? I don’t think so. That is why it is a blow for Howe, but not a major one.
The Toon boss will be much more keen to get the Kelly deal over the line, as he aims to bring in a player who he knows and trusts from his Bournemouth days. He was the one that brought Kelly to the Vitality Stadium in 2019, costing £13million from Bristol City.
Now they are set to be reunited, as Howe gets a player who can operate in two positions and understands what the 46-year-old expects from his players.
On top of that, Kelly is also someone who considers himself a ‘leader‘. That is a welcome trait at Newcastle, with the club set to wave goodbye to key figures behind the scenes in Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie.
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