Crystal Palace have identified Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly as a possible replacement for Marc Guehi, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Liverpool remain strongly linked with Guehi as part of their summer rebuild, and while no deal has been struck, there is an expectation Arne Slots’s side could return before the deadline. Palace are preparing contingency plans, and Kelly — who joined Juventus from Newcastle earlier this year — is one of the names under consideration.
Juventus signed the 26-year-old in January for €17.5m, including loan and buyout fees. While he featured regularly in pre-season under Igor Tudor, the Turin club are open to cashing in if a suitable offer arrives.
Juventus Position on Kelly
The Serie A side are not actively pushing Kelly out, but financial realities mean they would sanction a sale.
“Juventus are not forcing Lloyd Kelly out, but if the money is right, they’ll sanction the deal.” — Gazzetta dello Sport
Palace’s interest is therefore contingent on Guehi’s future. Should the England international move on, Kelly could be fast-tracked as his replacement.
Lloyd Kelly – 2024/25 Season by Numbers
| Stat (2024/25) | Lloyd Kelly |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 29 |
| Starts | 22 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Clearances | 87 |
| Blocks | 16 |
| Pass Accuracy | 85% |
source: sofascore match data – 22 August 2025
Kelly impressed in flashes last season, particularly for his defensive reading and recovery speed. However, Juventus’ financial situation makes him one of the players who could be sacrificed for balance sheet reasons.
Analyst Verdict
From reviewing his Juventus displays, Kelly remains a versatile defender — able to cover both centre-back and left-back roles. For Palace, this versatility would be invaluable, particularly if they lose Guehi, who is central to Oliver Glasner’s defensive setup.
Juventus’ willingness to listen at the right price gives Palace leverage, though they would need to move quickly if Liverpool finalise their pursuit of Guehi late in the window.
Key Insights
- Crystal Palace identify Lloyd Kelly as Guehi replacement
- Juventus open to sale after €17.5m outlay in January
- Player featured under Igor Tudor in pre-season but not untouchable
- Liverpool remain in hunt for Marc Guehi
- Kelly’s versatility could appeal to Oliver Glasner
What’s Next
Palace’s move hinges entirely on Guehi’s situation. If Liverpool formalise their interest with a late bid, Kelly is among the realistic names Palace could pivot to.
Juventus, for their part, are prepared to cash in if Palace or another Premier League club step forward with the right offer.
Should Crystal Palace reinvest Guehi money into Lloyd Kelly — or target a younger defender with higher resale potential?
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