- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Newcastle United are keen to keep Kieran Trippier but would consider letting the Premier League stalwart go if he pushes for a move amid continued interest from Bayern Munich.
HITC understands that a Bayern Munich side who have already taken the right-back’s former Tottenham Hotspur team-mates Harry Kane and Eric Dier to Bavaria remain on the trial of Newcastle’s number two.
Bayern attempted to sign Kieran Trippier in January after agreeing a deal with Dier. The one-time Burnley and Atletico Madrid man was keen on leaving the North East for Germany at the time, though discussions broke down after Bayern proved unable to meet Newcastle’s £20 million asking price, stumping up only £13 million.
HITC have now been told, however, that The Magpies would now consider letting Trippier go if he pushes for a fresh start, even if the the priority is to retain a man who – at £12 million – has been one of the best signings of the Saudi Arabian era at St James’ Park.
Bayern Munich still keen on Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier
“Kieran last year was absolutely outstanding in every phase of the play, whether that was creating goals or helping us not concede,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said in May after Trippier was named the North East Football Writer’s Player of the Year, via the Daily Mail.
“He also led the team incredibly well during different moments of the season and was always an inspiration off it to help be a role model to the younger players to help progress their careers.
“Congratulations to you Kieran, fully deserved in my opinion.”
Finding a full-back capable of replacing Trippier’s vast experience and supreme technical quality would be easier said than done, even for a club of Newcastle’s resources. Only Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Aston Villa frontman Ollie Watkins provided more than his 10 Premier League assists in 2023/24.
Vincent Kompany could reunite with Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen
HITC have been told that Bayern Munich are also hot on the heels of another full-back contracted to a Premier League giant. Vincent Kompany’s side, who finished a disappointing third in the Bundesliga behind Stuttgart and champions Bayer Leverkusen, are big fans of Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen.
Maatsen played under Kompany at Burnley and was a revelation on loan at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season, even if it was him who gave the ball away in the build up to Vinicius Junior’s clincher in Saturday’s Champions League final defeat at Wembley.
Maatsen would replace Alphonso Davies, should the jet-heeled Canadian follow in the footsteps of Toni Kroos and David Alaba from Munich to Madrid.
Kompany, meanwhile, was confirmed as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement last week at the Allianz Arena. According to the Manchester City legend’s father, at least three Premier League clubs came calling before Kompany made the shock switch from Burnley to Bayern.
“It was a surprise to the whole world,” Pierre Kompany tells La Derniere Heure. “Well, not to me, if you look at which teams had already come knocking.
“Last year, you had Tottenham and Chelsea. Now, Brighton showed an interest, alongside Chelsea again. But when Bayern, a club that is so well structured at all levels, comes knocking, you don’t refuse.”
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