Everton and Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Kieran Trippier in the January transfer window, but Newcastle are ready to make the Atletico Madrid defender their top-earner.
That’s according to 90min, who report the Toon have a £150k-a-week contract ready for the England international. Eddie Howe has deemed signing a right-back a priority for the winter sales, after casting judgment over the ranks at St James’ Park since taking charge.
Howe considers Trippier his top target for the role as he bids to guide the Magpies to safety. But he will have to persuade the 31-year-old of the move. While the ex-Tottenham full-back wants to return to the Premier League, he is hesitant to join a club fighting relegation.
Newcastle believe a significant salary and a three-and-a-half-year contract will help to convince Trippier of a January transfer. 90min also suggest they may have to pay close to or more than the club-record £40m spent on Joelinton in 2019 to convince Atletico to cash in.
The Northern Echo, however, have reported Newcastle are only willing to pay £25m to sign Trippier next month. Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard may yet derail Howe’s plans, as well.
Everton, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are willing to target Trippier during January if Atletico Madrid warm to a transfer. Intermediaries are also keeping Manchester United in the loop.
The Colchoneros were reluctant to sell Trippier this summer when the Red Devils made their interest known. Instead, they demanded the Old Trafford side paid his £50m release clause.
Atletico ready to grant Trippier transfer amid Everton, Newcastle, Villa interest
Despite 90min suggesting Atletico Madrid will want around £40m to sell Trippier in January amid Newcastle, Aston Villa, Everton and Palace’s interest, their stance has eased since the summer with the Mirror noting on Sunday that they are now willing to sanction a transfer.
The Wanda Metropolitano outfit also have eyes on Norwich City’s Max Aarons as a possible replacement. Diego Simeone has begun to lose faith in Trippier this season, while a shoulder injury has now kept the Bury-born dynamo from the Colchoneros’ last five fixtures.
Trippier has only started 12 of his 15 outings in all competitions so far this season. His form before the injury was also erratic, while failing to score a single goal or provide any assists.
The 35-cap international seemed a man reborn last season after two-years working under Simeone following a £20m move from Tottenham. Gareth Southgate, in particular, saw a new man in Trippier ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
“What Kieran has is hugely underestimated,” he said, via The Guardian. “People are still seeing the lad that was at Spurs a couple of years ago and not the defensive animal that has grown at Atletico Madrid, trusted by one of the best and most successful coaches.”
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