Tottenham Hotspur are looking to bring in a new defender – but face a battle in the transfer market
(Image credit: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Tottenham have been put on warning that they may need to be willing to stump up some serious money if they want to keep reported transfer target, Lloyd Kelly, from making a move to Milan or Juventus this summer.
The Bournemouth defender will be out of contract in the summer and is believed to be of interest to Spurs – but they are potentially at a disadvantage when it comes to fending off rival bids from abroad.
That’s because while English clubs cannot sign other English-based players to pre-contract deals, there would be nothing stopping Kelly from agreeing to a summer move overseas this month if he so desired.
Lloyd Kelly is on the radar of Europe's elite (Image credit: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Tottenham could ask Kelly and his representatives to keep their powder dry with a view to a free transfer in the summer – but if Kelly wanted to have more certainty as to his future plans, that could pose a problem. After all, it only takes one injury for a summer move to fall apart unless there is a contract already in place.
The Express therefore suggest that if Tottenham want to make sure of things, they may need to make their move now…and that would mean parting with a transfer fee.
With in-form Bournemouth obviously keen to maintain their recent excellent run to keep themselves well clear of the relegation zone, they are unlikely to let one of their best players go completely on the cheap, regardless of his contract situation.
Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
