Liverpool’s search for Virgil van Dijk’s long-term successor has been dealt a major blow after it was reported that Lloyd Kelly is in talks with two Serie A giants over a summer move.Kelly, 25, has impressed for Bournemouth in recent years and was heavily linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp’s side earlier this season.
The Reds were keen to sign Kelly in the January transfer window as he has six months left on his current contract at Bournemouth. However, the prospect of a move to Anfield has faded in recent weeks and Tottenham appear to be the most likely Premier League destination for Kelly.
However, a move to Italy is also being considered as two of Serie A’s biggest players eye his signature. Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth admitted Tottenham face stiff competition for Kelly, with Liverpool seemingly unable to make a run at the moment.
“They (Tottenham) are looking at what happened with Lloyd Kelly,” he said. “There are only six months left on the contract. AC Milan and Juventus are in talks with his representatives over a pre-contract agreement.
“Remember, when it comes to pre-contracts, you don’t have to talk to the club, you just have to talk directly to the player because they’re allowed to do that. “With Bournemouth openly discussing a new contract with Lloyd Kelly, there is still a chance that Lloyd Kelly will stay at Bournemouth at least until the end of the season and even sign a new contract.
But he has all the cards in his hands.’Interest from Champions League clubs may not be surprising given Kelly’s form on the south coast, but data analytics experts SciSports believe a move to AC Milan or Juventus would not make sense for Kelly.