JUST IN: Newcastle now considering reunion with ‘brilliant’ defender who left Tyneside one year ago, Eddie Howe is a big fan of him

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a surprise move to bring back a former defender from Juventus, little more than a year after his departure from St James’ Park.

After arriving at Newcastle on a free transfer from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024, the defender’s spell on Tyneside proved remarkably short. Juventus moved quickly to secure his services, initially on loan before making the deal permanent in a transfer package worth around €17.5 million plus add-ons.

While his early months in Turin drew mixed reactions from sections of the Juventus support, he gradually established himself as a key figure in the squad. The 27-year-old made 35 Serie A appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, predominantly operating on the left side of a back three.

Despite his significant involvement last season, reports suggest Juventus are prepared to listen to offers this summer as they continue reshaping their squad ahead of the new campaign.

The Italian giants are believed to value the defender at around €30 million, a figure that would represent a healthy profit on the fee they paid to secure his services permanently.

Newcastle’s reported interest in a reunion is understood to stem largely from manager Eddie Howe’s long-standing admiration for the player. Howe originally brought him to Bournemouth in 2019 before reuniting with him at Newcastle five years later.

After experiencing defensive depth issues at various stages of last season, Newcastle’s recruitment team is reportedly keen to add experienced and versatile defensive cover capable of operating across multiple positions.

However, the Magpies may face competition if they decide to pursue a deal. Nottingham Forest are said to be monitoring the situation closely, while newly-promoted Ipswich Town, managed by former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, have also been credited with an interest.

The player at the centre of the speculation is none other than Lloyd Kelly, with the prospect of a sensational reunion with Eddie Howe adding an intriguing twist to Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans.