‘Paul Mitchell set for Newcastle statue after phenomenal news’ – Fans stunned
Newcastle supporters have taken to social media to hail Paul Mitchell after Lloyd Kelly’s loan move to Juventus, which includes an option to buy.
Football Insider previously reported that the Magpies were considering offloading Kelly to raise funds, and his switch to the Serie A giants has now been confirmed.
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, the deal includes an obligation for Juventus to sign him permanently in the summer for £20 million. That sum has been well received by the fans.
🚨 BREAKING: Newcastle defender Lloyd Kelly completes a loan move to Juventus. Obligation to make permanent for £20m in the summer
⏳ That will conclude NUFC business for the January window pic.twitter.com/Y0nFyBLhPR
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) February 3, 2025
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The move follows news that Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce had also made a bid for the defender earlier in the window, but Newcastle opted against that deal.
Newcastle fans react positively to Lloyd Kelly transfer
Kelly only arrived at Newcastle last summer on a free transfer after his contract expired, reuniting with Eddie Howe. However, he has struggled for regular game time, making just four league starts and 14 appearances in all competitions.
Despite being under contract at St. James’ Park until 2029, the defender has now secured a loan move to Juventus, which includes an obligation to buy—giving him a chance to revive his career in Serie A.
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Newcastle, meanwhile, opted not to sign any replacements in January, even after Miguel Almiron’s emotional departure earlier in the window.
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The £20 million sale represents a significant profit for the Magpies as they continue to navigate financial restrictions. In the summer, they were forced to sell promising talents Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Many fans have welcomed the deal, with one describing it as an “incredible piece of business” while another jokingly suggested sporting director Mitchell deserves a statue for his work.
The superlatives for him included “phenomenal” and “outrageous” as the Magpies appear to have been given a much-needed PSR boost for the summer window.
That’s an incredible piece of business to sell him for £20m 😂
— Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) February 2, 2025
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On my way to mix cement for the Paul Mitchell statue 🚶🚶🚶🚶
— Imed The Magpie (@IMAD_NUFC) February 2, 2025
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Seems to good to be true. Do we have to buy their 3rd-choice keeper for £20m in the summer?
— TOONdle (@toondle) February 2, 2025
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Paul Mitchell must be backed fully! This is phenomenal business
— lee harwood (@lharwood) February 2, 2025
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Good value. Risky, but hopefully this means a player now (unlikely) or players (plural) in summer. Richest club in world… we will be busking outside Eldon Square soon trying to raise a few bob. Nightmare.
— ⚫️⚪️Jamie Swan⚫️⚪️ (@BLACK7WHITESwan) February 2, 2025
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£20m for Kelly is phenomenal business considering we got him as a free agent and, let’s be honest, wasn’t that good whenever he played. Pure profit it’ll be too. No brainer.
From signing Zidane, Buffon and Del Piero, to Lloyd Kelly. Mitchell has done them all ends up. 😭😂 #NUFC… https://t.co/vxu0xpURF9
— Magnificent Mags (@MagnificoMags) February 3, 2025
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£20m for Lloyd Kelly is outrageous. People can aimlessly slate Paul Mitchell, but we’ve been historically terrible sellers for years, and he’s instantly changed that. When you’re all gushing over our signings in the summer, remember when you unfairly criticised him.
— GW (@gw850) February 2, 2025
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It’s outrageous when we got him on a free 6 months ago and barely played him 😊
— Brazilian Mag (@StJamesPark61) February 2, 2025
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So glad to see some of these players sold. Shame Barnes got hurt as he could’ve provided some much needed fund too. We will eventually get to the stage where we can have £20m reserves but we’re not there yet. Money on table take it.
— George From Greggs (@ryqtz) February 2, 2025
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3/10.
Not investing in the first team again is a massive risk, especially with what we’re challenging for.
The Lloyd Kelly sale is very good business, we just have to hope the sales we’ve made this month will allow us to go big in the summer. Because we have to.
— Stephen (@StephenC_2001) February 4, 2025
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In other news, Newcastle United will offer star forward Alexander Isak a record-breaking contract.
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