How much Lloyd Kelly would cost Aston Villa as Juventus transfer stance revealed - Exclusive

Aston Villa would be signing a "very consistent" defender in Lloyd Kelly, Villa News has exclusively been told.

Upgrading at the centre-back position could well be on Aston Villa's transfer to-do list this summer.

Pau Torres' long-term Villa Park future looks uncertain, whilst the same can be said for the likes of Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof respectively.

Finding Ezri Konsa a new partner in the heart of defence could be a big priority for Unai Emery, and Juventus' Lloyd Kelly has Premier League experience with Newcastle and Bournemouth under his belt.

The 27-year-old is currently plying his trade with Serie A giants Juventus, after turning his initial loan move from Newcastle permanent last summer.

And, should he make a move to the West Midlands in the coming weeks, then the Villains might just be making a shrewd investment on an improving player.

Why Lloyd Kelly was unsettled at Juventus before turning form around

Villa News has been debating Aston Villa's need to make improvements in defence this summer, especially with an action-packed 2026-27 season ahead of them.

Emery's side will want to be as competitive as possible on all fronts once again, but Champions League football alongside their Premier League campaign will stretch the depth and limits of the squad.

So, ensuring that there is enough quality options in every department is key, and a recent report from Tutto Juve has claimed that Kelly is a player on Aston Villa's radar.

Speaking exclusively with Villa News, journalist and exclusive writer for Tutto Juve Mirko Di Natale - who has over 34,500 followers on X - has offered expert insight into Kelly's time in Turin so far.

"Lloyd Kelly struggled a bit at first because his former coach, Thiago Motta, played him at left-back," Di Natale said. 

"However, after a few months where he didn't seem to have fully settled in Italy, he began gaining solidity and confidence in his abilities last year.

"His performance levels have been very consistent, and he has become a reliable figure for his teammates."

This is some encouraging testimony for Aston Villa, but are Juventus willing to sell the Englishman this summer, and if so, how much would he set the Villains back?

Kelly's Juventus transfer truth revealed

Quality central defenders are always tough to prize away from clubs on the market, as they certainly don't grow on trees.

Kelly's first full season with Juventus last term proved he's one of those, and with Luciano Spalletti's side looking to improve upon their sixth-placed finish in Serie A last year, they will want to keep as many of their best players as possible.

Discussing Kelly's situation further with Villa News, Di Natale has poured cold water on Aston Villa's chances of signing Kelly this summer.

"Honestly, I have no confirmation of genuine interest from Villa," he revealed.

"Juventus is considering bringing in a defender, but right now, the club is more likely to sell Federico Gatti than Lloyd Kelly.

"Unfortunately, missing out on the England call-up slowed Lloyd's progress slightly, but Juve could still ask for as much as €40million (£33.9m) for him.

"He isn't a defender who is currently on the market."

So, it would appear that not only would Kelly be a costly signature to acquire for Aston Villa, it's one that may not be attainable whatsoever.