Last summer, Tyneside was plagued by Profit and Sustainability Rule [PSR] problems, forcing Newcastle United to come up with innovative solutions. As a result, the free transfer market was investigated, and in what appeared to be a wise move, Lloyd Kelly—who was about to leave Bournemouth at the end of his contract—was brought to Tyneside.
As he bid farewell to Fulham, Tosin Adarabioyo, another central defensive alternative, attracted equal interest before the Magpies made their approach for the now-Juventus defender. Early in the summer transfer season, Eddie Howe had attempted to get the 27-year-old and Kelly to St James' Park by holding negotiations with Newcastle. Newcastle's late bid to sign the departing Fulham star failed as Chelsea swooped in, leaving many puzzled by the defender's choice amid Stamford Bridge's recent spending spree.