Newcastle reject bid from Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce for Lloyd Kelly

Exclusive: Portuguese main driving force behind move after facing defender several times while he was manager of Man Utd and then Spurs

Luke Edwards

Fenerbahce manager, José Mourinho, has had a bid for Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly rejected by the Premier League club.

Mourinho is understood to have been the main driving force behind the interest in Kelly as he faced the player several times during his time as a manager with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Kelly can play at centre-back and left-back, versatility that made him attractive to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who signed the player for Bournemouth in 2019.

Telegraph Sport understands that Newcastle were willing to listen to Fenerbahce’s proposal as Kelly is behind both Dan Burn and a fit again Sven Botman in the pecking order for the left-sided centre-back role, but the opening offer was considerably below their valuation of the player.

As things stand, talks have not progressed and the Turkish club would have to significantly raise their offer for the 26-year-old if they are going to resume.

Fenerbahce vice-president Acun Ilicah went public with the club’s interest in Kelly on Tuesday, which is thought to have irritated Newcastle given how low their bid for the player was.

“We are in talks for Lloyd Kelly transfer,” Ilicah said. “He’s a player we’re interested in. If we can reach an agreement we will transfer this player.

Newcastle sources have stressed that a deal is not close at the moment and they do not want to lose the player. It is now up to Fenerbache to decide if they are willing to make a bid that is too good to turn down.

Signed on a free transfer from Bournemouth last summer, Kelly has only started seven games in all competitions.