Liverpool and Tottenham are said to be monitoring the same potential signing as the January transfer window approaches.
Reports suggest that Lloyd Kelly, a target for both Liverpool and Tottenham, is on the verge of receiving a lucrative new contract offer from AFC Bournemouth.
This move aims to ward off competing clubs’ interest, especially from some of Europe’s major football clubs, as Kelly’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old becomes eligible to enter into a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club starting January. This opens up the possibility for domestic teams to explore a cost-effective permanent transfer during the winter window.
Liverpool and Spurs have emerged as potential suitors for Kelly, a player drawing interest amid the Reds’ loss of Joel Matip to a severe cruciate ligament injury.
Meanwhile, Spurs, under Ange Postecoglou, may seek defensive reinforcements following the November hamstring injury to Micky van de Ven. Postecoglou faced a shortage of options, leading to the unconventional use of a back four consisting entirely of full-backs during Cristian Romero’s three-match ban.
However, the pursuit of Kelly by both sides may face a setback in the upcoming month. TeamTalk reports that the vice-captain is poised to receive a contract offer, elevating him to the status of Bournemouth’s highest-paid player in their history.
A substantial extended contract would deter potential suitors, notably the Italian football powerhouses AC Milan and Juventus, who have expressed interest. Furthermore, there have been associations linking the former Bristol City standout to Newcastle.
The report indicates that Kelly is in no hurry to make a decision about his future. He is carefully evaluating all possibilities, including the prospect of letting his contract run its course and departing Bournemouth as a free agent next summer.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has played down the idea of acquiring a new center-back to fill the void left by Matip. Klopp asserts his contentment with working alongside Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, and the young talent Jarell Quansah as his existing defensive options.
“Everyone talks about us needing another player but they all cost money and they must be the right player,” Klopp said at the weekend. “You tell me a club who wants to sell a top centre-half. Not a centre-half but a top centre-half.
“For four or five days we’ve known Joel will be out for a long time and that’s really bad for us but we still have four centre-halves and that’s absolutely alright.”
The German added: “As long as other clubs don’t put them under the Christmas tree for us and say, ‘Take it as long as you need it’ I don’t think [it is likely Liverpool will buy a player].”
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