Liverpool are looking to disrupt Tottenham’s efforts to sign Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly in the upcoming winter transfer window, as reported by 90min.
Spurs had pursued Kelly during the summer, aiming to revamp their defensive options. They let Davinson Sanchez join Galatasaray and were willing to part ways with Eric Dier if the right offer came in.
While Tottenham made signings like Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, and promising youngster Ashley Phillips in the summer, Ange Postecoglou sought at least one more addition to his squad and identified Kelly as a suitable candidate.
According to the report, Tottenham had a £20 million bid for the 6ft 3in defender rejected by Bournemouth on deadline day, as the Cherries demanded a higher fee for the highly-regarded centre-back, leading to a failed agreement.
During the summer transfer window, Liverpool were in search of a left-sided centre-back and was linked with potential moves for Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and Van de Ven, who eventually joined Tottenham.
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Jurgen Klopp allowed academy graduate Nat Phillips to go on loan to Celtic until January while promoting Jarell Quansah to the first-team squad. The 20-year-old has made a positive impression in his first two appearances for Liverpool this season.
With Liverpool participating in four competitions, including the UEFA Europa League, Quansah is expected to see more playing time. Nevertheless, Klopp appears to have a desire to bring in another defender during the January transfer window.
Kelly has emerged as a transfer target and may consider his options in the upcoming winter transfer window as he nears the end of his contract with Bournemouth.
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His current contract with the club expires at the end of the season, and it’s reported that he is in no hurry to commit his future to the Vitality Stadium.
If Kelly doesn’t sign a new contract with Bournemouth, he could potentially leave on a free transfer, prompting the Cherries to consider selling him in January to avoid losing him without compensation.
Tottenham and Liverpool are both eager to secure his services, and Newcastle are also monitoring the situation, according to reports from 90min. The involvement of these three Premier League heavyweights could drive the transfer fee beyond the £20 million that Spurs offered during the summer.
Kelly, who arrived at the Vitality Stadium from Bristol City in 2019, has earned a strong following among Bournemouth fans.
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Despite facing injury setbacks during his tenure with the club, the English centre-back has made a total of 119 appearances.
In the previous season, Kelly participated in 24 matches and contributed with two assists, playing a role in Bournemouth’s successful bid to remain in the Premier League by finishing 15th with 39 points, just five points ahead of 18th-placed Leicester City.
