Newcastle United have rejected a bid from Fenerbahce for defender Lloyd Kelly after a paltry opening offer. The Magpies are now waiting to see if the Turkish outfit return with a fresh bid.

Jose Mourinho is the man driving the bid for Kelly but the suggested price is said to have fallen way below Newcastle's expectations and the club known as the Yellow Canaries must return with a more tempting offer. Newcastle are in a position where they don't have to sell, however.

Chronicle Live understands that the 26-year-old's representatives have held talks with an intermediary who works with the Turkish club. Kelly only joined Newcastle in the summer but has played just 298 Premier League minutes for the Magpies.

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Kelly has been used in the domestic cups and played 90 minutes against Bromley in the FA Cup third round win on Sunday for the Magpies. But Newcastle will not stand in his way if the right price comes along.

Believed to be on £150,000 per week, after Newcastle sanctioned the high wage demands to beat other top-flight rivals to his signature in the summer, Kelly has been unable to get past Dan Burn in the pecking order. With Sven Botman now fit again Kelly's chances of Premier League action will be reduced further going into 2025.

Mourinho is said to be keen on Kelly and has requested Fener push on and try to seal a deal, but the Turkish second-placed side have also been talking to Aston Villa about former Newcastle transfer target Diego Carlos. The Carlos deal is believed to have been in danger after an issue on wages.

Fenerbahce vice president and Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has gone public with the bid for Kelly though. Speaking to Fenerbahce's official media channels, Ilicali was quick to express his club's desire to sign Kelly this winter. "We are in talks for a Lloyd Kelly transfer," he explained.

"He’s a player we’re interested in. If we can reach an agreement, we will transfer this player."

Kelly is valued at around £15million and has a contract until 2029 while his wages plus agent fees would also need to be thrashed out. Newcastle made no public comment to Fenerbahce vice-president Ilicali but are aware of the transfer saga.

Eddie Howe stated on Sunday that he was not interested in letting players leave in this window. But the Kelly deal could throw up an unexpected PSR boost if a price can be fixed.