Newcastle United have been told signing Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly is a 'no-brainer' with the defender available on a free transfer this summer. The 25-year-old has been watched by United and is thought to be towards the top of Toon boss Eddie Howe's transfer wishlist.

With Newcastle United maneuvering through the pitfalls of Financial Fair Play, the chance to sign an experienced Premier League defender - who has his best years ahead of him - on a free transfer appeals.

Speaking on The Monday Show via The Everything is Black and White Podcast, our Newcastle United Editor Aaron Stokes shared his view on the potential arrival of Kelly: "I've seen a lot of people turn their noses up at Lloyd Kelly, with their reasoning being 'we're Newcastle United, with all this money and all this ambition of being a top club so why are we going for Bournemouth players?'

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"But if you look at some of the players we've signed from teams around that part of the league before - Anthony Gordon from Everton or Harvey Barnes from Leicester City - there's absolutely nothing against getting these players from the bottom half of the Premier League.

"With Newcastle's and everyone's financial restrictions this summer, going out and getting someone like Kelly for nothing apart from the wages and a little signing-on fee, it's an absolute no-brainer for me. He would be a really, really good deal."

Kelly moved to Bournemouth while Howe was manager and has gone on to play 117 times for the club - including as captain. United have bit hit by long-term absences to central defenders Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles - both ruled out for up to nine months after suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

These injuries have propelled a new center-back to the top of the transfer list for this summer with Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo also watched by Newcastle, and like Kelly, available for free.

For Stokes, he believes United should go back in for Manchester City's Nathan Ake. The Dutch defender has played 24 times in the Premier League this season but there is a belief that he could be tempted to Tyneside.

"You need someone who is going to cost you a lot of money and who has been there and done it.

"There's been a lot of links to people in Portugal, two at Lisbon in the form of Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande - both who look very decent but will cost you a lot of money.

"But what about Nathan Ake? Some fans turned their noses up when he was first linked but missing out on Ake looks like a big mistake. He's been fantastic for City this season, and if he continues to drop down the pecking order and they can manage to get him for £20m-£30m that would be a really good deal."

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