Newcastle in talks to sign Bournemouth star and former Monaco chief discussed

Newcastle United is currently in discussions with Lloyd Kelly's representatives regarding a potential transfer to St James' Park in the upcoming summer.

The versatile Bournemouth defender is nearing the end of his contract at the Vitality Stadium and is expected to become a free agent by the summer.

According to Craig Hope of The Mail, AC Milan and several German clubs have also expressed interest in the 25-year-old.

However, Newcastle's Head of Recruitment, Steve Nickson, is reportedly pushing forward with negotiations.

This move could see Kelly reuniting with Eddie Howe, who initially brought him to Bournemouth for a fee of £13 million nearly five years ago.

Kelly has served as Bournemouth's club captain for over two years and is comfortable playing as both a left-back and a center-back, making him a versatile addition to the squad, similar to the role played by Dan Burn.

Additionally, the report mentions the possibility of former Monaco talent-spotter Paul Mitchell being considered for the vacant sporting director position, previously held by Dan Ashworth.

Nonetheless, there is a belief among some within the club that Nickson may be suited to fill this role.

Amanda Staveley sends a message to Newcastle fans after a ‘fantastic’ weekend for the club

Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley expressed her appreciation for the successful outings of both the men's and women's teams over the weekend.

The men's team secured their first home victory of the year with a 3-0 triumph over Wolves, while the women's side continued their excellent run by defeating Stoke 4-1.

Staveley took to Instagram on Sunday to celebrate both teams' victories and remarked on the fantastic support shown for both squads.

For the men's team, the win against Wolves was deemed extremely important by manager Eddie Howe, especially after a series of disappointing performances, particularly at St James' Park. Securing a clean sheet in addition to the win was a significant positive.

Newcastle has been grappling with defensive issues for some time, with players like Sven Botman and Dan Burn seeming out of form recently. However, both players delivered solid performances against Wolves.

The win against Wolves was crucial for boosting confidence ahead of the upcoming match against Chelsea, which is scheduled for next Monday night.

While Chelsea is underperforming this season, they still have a strong roster and pose a significant challenge.

As the season heads towards its conclusion, Staveley is eager for Newcastle to maintain a positive attitude and continue fighting for every point.

She hopes that their efforts will be sufficient to secure a spot in Europe for the following season.

On Instagram, Staveley said: “It’s been a winning weekend for both of our fantastic teams! It’s wonderful to see all our fans out supporting us as usual, and I’m so happy we’ve been able to deliver a win. Onwards and upwards we go #howaythelads#howaythelasses“.

Newcastle United is facing a crucial period, and to succeed, they need everyone working together. Initially, it seemed like the FA Cup might be their only chance due to their poor Premier League form. However, their recent victory against Wolves has reignited their hopes for a European spot.

Currently, they are just four points behind Manchester United, who hold sixth place, and still have to play them at Old Trafford. This means that qualifying for the Europa League is a realistic goal for Eddie Howe and his team.

Securing another European tournament spot will not only make them more attractive to potential signings in the summer but will also provide Amanda Staveley and her associates with additional funds to continue strengthening the Newcastle squad.