Bournemouth have turned down an offer worth £20 million from Tottenham Hotspur for Lloyd Kelly, reports the Athletic.
Tottenham have been weighing up a move for the English centre-back over the summer, but Bournemouth have been reluctant to sell.
The Cherries consider the former England under-21 international to be a vital part of their backline and capable of doing a job in multiple defensive positions.
While Tottenham are keen to acquire his services, they have failed to meet Bournemouth’s valuation of the player.
The Cherries will also find it difficult to sign a replacement on deadline day, which was also a factor resulting in the rejected bid.
Kelly is expected to remain at the Vitality Stadium beyond this summer, extending his stay with the club for at least another year.
The 24-year-old struggled with an ankle injury at the beginning of last season but made 23 Premier League appearances, registering two assists.
He also contributed five clean sheets and recorded 1.1 interceptions per game, 1.4 tackles per match, and 4.3 clearances per 90.
The impressive centre-half was a force to be reckoned with in the air, winning 64% of his aerial duels and was also successful in 56% of his ground battles.
Kelly is an all-round centre-back who would have been a solid signing for Tottenham with the Londoners still undergoing a defensive overhaul.
Japhet Tanganga is set to leave Spurs on a season-long loan to Bundesliga club Augsburg, while Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez could also depart before tonight’s deadline.
Dier is yet to make any of Ange Postecoglou’s matchday squad this season, leading to speculation about his long-term future.
The England international is determined to fight for a place in the starting line-up, although an exit could still be on the cards.
Sanchez has been deemed surplus to requirements despite making an appearance this season and is attracting interest from clubs abroad.
