Newcastle are on the brink of signing Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly on free transfers this summer, talkSPORT understands.

After experiencing a challenging year filled with injury setbacks, Newcastle is eager to strengthen their defence. They have identified two Premier League players whose contracts expire at the end of next month as potential targets.

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Fulham star Adarabioyo could be the first to arrive, who has long been eyed by the Geordies after a brilliant campaign in west London.

The 26-year-old is expected to play a pivotal role under Eddie Howe, who is seeking to rejuvenate his backline, considering Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar are both in their 30s.

Having risen through the ranks at Manchester City, the centre-back missed the start of the season due to groin surgery but managed to make 25 appearances across all competitions, bringing his total to 132 appearances for the Cottagers.

Manchester United were also interested in the former England Under-19 international as they continue searching for a replacement for Raphael Varane, who announced he will leave Old Trafford this summer.

Kelly, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City five years ago for £13million, is also on the brink of joining Newcastle to bolster their options at the back.

Able to operate as a centre-back and a left-back, he is seen as the natural successor to Dan Burn, who turned 32 earlier this month.

Signing both players on free transfers would be a major coup for Howe, who could let fringe players like Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth leave.

The Magpies have been hit hard by injuries throughout the campaign with star defender Sven Botman missing the majority of the season.

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And Newcastle are also having to contend with Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, which makes signing two free players even more appealing.

It could open up further negotiations for other targets at St. James’ Park including Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Plenty of Newcastle’s summer will also revolve around Bruno Guimaraes’ future, who has been linked with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

While the Brazilian signed a new contract earlier this season, it includes a release clause that could see Newcastle powerless to the midfielder’s departure, if he chooses so.

Nevertheless, Howe remains confident he can keep hold of the 26-year-old, who wrote a message to the fans on social media this week.

He wrote on X: “It has been a huge mix of emotions, but I’m certain that I gave my best at all times, as did the entire team.

“It was a season full of injuries, and I’m sure we could have done much more if we had been at full strength. Even so, I think we achieved a lot with the little we had this year.”