Strange claims in Italian media over Lloyd Kelly and Newcastle United

Italian media is often a strange beast. We know that the UK media can be fanciful at times, but they have it down to an art in Italy, and you just need to look at stories involving Newcastle United to understand what we mean.

The most obvious example is the constant stories around Sandro Tonali's triumphant return to his homeland, which still hasn't looked even remotely close despite being an ongoing trend.

Everyone knows that Italian clubs simply don't have the finances to pull off a successful bid for the likes of Tonali. It's often Juventus who are linked with a move for the Italy international, but they are having financial difficulties, so it never made sense.

Indeed, Juventus' money woes are the backdrop for the latest strange Newcastle United rumour emanating from TuttoSport.

Newcastle want Lloyd Kelly? Really?

TuttoSport claims that Newcastle could look to bring Lloyd Kelly back from Turin just one year after his £20 million move.

Kelly signed for Newcastle two years ago on a free transfer after leaving Bournemouth, and in January of that same season, he was loaned to Juventus with an obligation to buy for £20 million after failing to make any kind of impact on Tyneside.

It was seen as a masterstroke at the time; we got shot of a dud player and made practically a £20 million profit in a year. 

After a rocky start in Italy, Kelly has become a regular in the starting lineup at Juve, and the idea that they'd even be looking to sell is a strange call, even with their money concerns, but what's even more strange is that the report claims Newcastle want him back, and even made an attempt to do so last year.

Think about that for a second. Newcastle made an attempt to sign Lloyd Kelly back a year ago? That's when he made his loan move permanent. If we wanted him back, we could have just negotiated out of the deal. We're sure Juve would have been chuffed at the time, given his start to life in Italy.

We started our day with a chuckle, at least

TuttoSport even claims that Juve would demand £26 million for his services and claims that Newcastle wouldn't be put off by the price. We beg to differ.

We make £20 million shifting a free signing and then buy him back for £6 million more? Have a word.

The report also claims Crystal Palace could be keen, and if that's the case, they can crack on, but we don't see Newcastle going anywhere near this one.

Rumour Rating: 1/10 - It makes no sense. Not one jot.