“He is very valuable”- Bournemouth boss speaks on Tottenham’s summer transfer target

Tottenham Hotspur get Lloyd Kelly transfer update after £20m summer bid

Tottenham Hotspur made a significant late move in the summer transfer window by submitting a £20 million bid for Bournemouth’s versatile defender, Lloyd Kelly. This eleventh-hour approach signalled Spurs’ intention to strengthen their defensive ranks, especially with the departures of key players like Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga, and Sergio Reguilon.

Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, acknowledged the situation surrounding Kelly but emphasized the player’s importance to the team. Speaking ahead of Bournemouth’s clash with Brentford, here is what Iraola stated via football.london:

“He is very valuable as a centre-back or a left-back and we want him to be part of the team. Sometimes they are situations you cannot control and every party has to be happy for something to happen.”

Lloyd Kelly had previously been a target for Tottenham before he made the move to the South Coast from Bristol City in 2019. During his time at Bournemouth, he has made 119 appearances and played a pivotal role in their successful promotion season under Scott Parker in 2021/22. However, he faced significant periods of injury during the last campaign.

However, even in the scenario that Kelly joins the Lilywhites in the near future, Spurs will have a selection dilemma given Destiny Udogie’s performances in the backline.

Adding to that though, Spurs’ ambition to strengthen their defensive options. Speaking of how he would add to our squad, Kelly is a versatile player as his manager recalls. Capable of putting a shift as either a centre-back or a left-back, this breed of multi-faceted defenders is a growing crop in the Premier League.

While the late bid for Kelly underscores Tottenham’s commitment to strengthening their squad, it remains to be seen whether the move will materialise.

As the winter transfer window comes about, Spurs fans will be eagerly awaiting news of whether the deal for Lloyd Kelly comes to fruition.

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The potential addition of Kelly would be seen as a positive step in addressing the defensive needs of the team and reinforcing their ambitions for the season ahead.