Yahoo News Newcastle United transfer state of play: Ferran Torres deal, contract torn up and Lewis returns
Newcastle United will complete the signing of 25-year-old centre-back Lloyd Kelly in the coming days after the soon to be out of contract Bournemouth star went through his medical in London.
As revealed by Chronicle Live yesterday, Kelly turned down a number of attractive propositions to hook up again with his old boss Eddie Howe. Howe hopes to add at least four summer signings to his squad for the first half of the 2024/25 season after what proved to be a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the end last term.
Here's the latest take on the stories involving Newcastle in the summer window.
Ferran Torres
The 24-year-old Barcelona star saw his agent come out last night and shut down talk that Newcastle United had made an offer for his services. The left winger was linked with a €15million move to Newcastle yesterday but this was denied by his representatives.
Remember Torres has two years at Man City after a £20million move from Valencia but he only made 20 starts in the Premier League before being sold to Barca. A £50m switch to the Nou Camp took place in January 2022 and he picked up a La Liga winners medal last term but is now being touted around clubs in Europe.
Newcastle are in the market for a winger but this one was quickly shot down.
Martin Dubravka
The Slovakia stopper has been linked with Celtic but Chronicle Live understands that no offer from the Scottish champions had landed on the table yet. Dubravka has other interest from around Europe too and intriguingly from a couple of clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
At 35, a lucrative deal could appeal to Dubravka but Newcastle will need a replacement back-up man first. James Trafford of Burnley is the player they are currently negotiating a fee on.
Giorgi Mamardashvili
The agent of Mamardashvili has been pushing hard to get his client out of Valencia this summer and a fee of £41m has been mooted. However, that is way above the price range Newcastle - who need to fill other positions too - and that demand would have to drop down.
Notably, Valencia announced the arrival of North Macedonia international Stole Dimitrievski from Rayo Vallecano in the last 24 hours. And it means that 23-year-old Mamardashvili's name is likely to be pushed forward once again in due course.
READ MORE: Toon star's round of goodbyes increases talk he will quit St James' Park this summer
Jamal Lewis
The Northern Ireland left-back was tipped to be a star at St James' Park but it just hasn't happened for the ex-Norwich man. Lewis spent last season on loan at Watford and the Hornets had an "option to buy" clause on their deal with Newcastle.
But Watford have not taken up that option and Lewis is set to return from his loan stint in Hertfordshire. It means Newcastle will be looking to sell the defender this summer with Howe making it clear he no longer has a future at United despite having a year left on his current deal.
With the emergence of Lewis Hall and Alex Murphy at Newcastle, Lewis will end his career after 36 appearances at the club.
Isaac Hayden
The midfielder is officially a Newcastle player again and has a year to run on his current deal following a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers. But it doesn't look like there is any hope of a reprieve under Eddie Howe.
Indeed, Hayden is believed to be in discussions with the club to come to a financial agreement on his current deal and end the contract early. That way he would be free to negotiate with other clubs and at 29 still has plenty to offer.
Hayden was a big fan favourite when Newcastle were promoted in 2017 and served the club well in the Premier League but knows it is time to move on.
