Newcastle United are willing to pay Atletico Madrid £25m to secure a January transfer for Kieran Trippier to improve Eddie Howe’s defence, according to the Northern Echo.
The Toon are hopeful of luring Trippier back to the Premier League from La Liga to aid their survival fight. Howe led the Magpies to their first win of the season on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over fellow relegation zone incumbents Burnley thanks to Callum Wilson’s strike.
Beating the Clarets also saw United move above Norwich at the bottom of the table. While shutting out Sean Dyche’s side additionally returned their first clean sheet of the campaign.
Newcastle have registered one of the Premier League’s leakiest defences so far this season. After losing 3-0 at Tottenham on Sunday, only Norwich (31) have shipped more goals than the Toon (30). The Canaries (-23) are also the only club with a worse goal difference (-13).
United chiefs hope the battle Trippier faces for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad is enough for the Atletico full-back to move to St James’ Park during a relegation fight.
Southgate is blessed with a wealth of options right now and overlooked Trippier for his side last month. Instead, the Three Lions boss selected Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James. All three are playing regularly in England, while Trippier is currently sidelined.
Trippier sustained a shoulder injury last month, but his form has been erratic all term. The 31-year-old is yet to score or lay on an assist, and has started nine of his 12 La Liga outings.
Newcastle ready to bid big for transfer of Atletico Madrid defender Trippier
Trippier’s Atletico Madrid form does not sway Newcastle’s hopes of a January transfer and are willing to pay £25m. The Toon consider right-back a priority position after Howe spoke with Head of Recruitment Steve Nickson at a crunch summit.
A £25m fee would make Trippier one of the Magpies’ most expensive purchases, with only Joelinton at £40m costing more. They also paid Arsenal £25m for Joe Willock this August.
Trippier has plenty of fans at Newcastle who could justify the high fee for a transfer from Atletico Madrid. The Mirror note Howe has given the Saudi Public Investment Fund his go-ahead, after Guillem Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live the PIF are ‘really interested’ in a deal.
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