Newcastle United are not ready to let summer signing Lloyd Kelly leave on the cheap this month despite landing the centre-back on a free at the start of the season.

After days of speculation over a move to Fenerbahce, Sunday brought headlines involving Italian interest that may prove a tad more enticing for the player. Juventus are said to be keen on landing Kelly this month after missing out on AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.

Various reports in Italy suggest The Old Lady have had a loan with an obligation buy bid rejected in recent days, with Juventus said to still be hopeful of securing a deal this month. Chronicle Live understands Kelly is valued at around £20m by Newcastle.

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That figure was enough to end Fenerbahce's brief interest and may prove too eye-watering for Juventus too. Kelly himself has not asked to leave St James' Park and Eddie Howe sees him as a trusted and valued member of the first-team.

However, with finances tight and PSR concerns lingering, Newcastle may be forced to cash in this month if an offer too good to turn down presents itself.

"Lloyd has not talked to me about leaving the football club," Howe said on Friday. "I think he's only just joined and I think there's an understanding from his perspective that he's got to earn the right to play and prove that he deserves to play ahead of other players.

"So there's been absolutely no issue. He's been great to work with and I knew he would be. He's waiting for his opportunities, so there's no issue with Lloyd at all.

"Whatever rumours you're hearing are likely from Fenerbahce and not from the player so I want to make that very clear and Lloyd's an important part of what we're doing."