Report: Crystal Palace Plot Move to Bring Juventus Defender Lloyd Kelly Back to Premier League

 

Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing a move to bring Lloyd Kelly back to England, only months after the English defender made the switch to Juventus. The Serie A giants, despite only recently finalizing his permanent acquisition, are already open to offloading the player — and the Eagles could be ready to pounce.

 

Kelly joined Juventus from Newcastle United during the January transfer window on an initial loan deal that included a mandatory purchase clause. That obligation was tied to Juventus securing safety in Serie A — a target that was met without much trouble, triggering the clause and forcing the Bianconeri to pay a fee believed to be in the region of €20 million for the 26-year-old.

 

However, the move has quickly turned into a source of debate among fans and pundits alike. Many in Turin viewed the signing as a short-sighted solution, orchestrated by Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli during a period of defensive crisis. The Italian club was desperate to reinforce its backline mid-season, and some believe Giuntoli may have capitulated too easily to Newcastle’s terms.

 

Since arriving at the Allianz Stadium, Kelly has struggled to establish himself as a reliable option in the Juventus defense. His performances under both Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor have been underwhelming, with the Englishman guilty of a few high-profile errors — notably in the Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven and a disappointing Serie A showing versus Parma.

 

These struggles have reportedly led Juventus to consider cashing in on Kelly this summer. According to TuttoJuve, Crystal Palace are monitoring the situation closely and could be preparing to table an offer in the region of €20 million — the same fee Juventus paid just months ago.

 

The South London club, fresh from winning the FA Cup and on the verge of competing in the UEFA Europa League next season (pending UEFA’s final ruling on multi-club ownership, due to their shared links with French side Lyon), are eager to strengthen their squad for the rigors of European competition.

 

Crystal Palace see Kelly as an ideal reinforcement for their defense, especially considering his status as a homegrown English player with significant Premier League experience. Before his brief and relatively quiet stint at Newcastle, Kelly came through the academy at Bristol City and spent five solid seasons at Bournemouth, where he earned a reputation as a dependable, athletic, and versatile defender.

 

While Palace have also been linked with Juventus’ Portuguese centre-back Tiago Djalo, Kelly’s familiarity with English football, coupled with his prime age and potential to regain form, makes him a more appealing target.

 

Whether Juventus will recoup their full investment remains to be seen, but with Crystal Palace reportedly ready to match their valuation, a return to the Premier League for Kelly could be just around the corner — offering both player and club a fresh start.