Liverpool have been continuously trying to acquire a left-footed centre-back since last summer. After failing to land Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, Sporting defender Goncalo Inácio and Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo have been mentioned as targets.
Former England U-21 defender Lloyd Kelly, whose contract with Bournemouth expires at the end of the season, is one such target, with his utility to also play left-back being noted. He is a tall, modern defender with good foot skills and plenty of Premier League and Championship experience.
According to HITC, the Bournemouth defender, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan, has not responded to his club’s latest contract extension offer and is close to leaving on a free transfer this summer.
He has shown promise from a young age, but is an injury-prone type of player with little experience of fighting his way through a season. He has been out on three separate occasions this season, including a hip injury and a calf injury, so it will be crucial to assess his injury history.
Liverpool’s former Schalke defender Joel Matip is expected to leave at the end of the season. Furthermore, they would like to have one in their squad, even if not a regular, as they have no left-footed defenders in their centre-back corps, giving them more tactical depth.
The Bournemouth defender seems to have no shortage of transfer targets, but will he let his contract with his current club expire and embark on a new challenge at a new club…?