Atletico Madrid Target Premier League Defender To Replace Kieran Trippier

Atletico Madrid have identified their replacement for Kieran Trippier, after the right back moved to Newcastle United, and they want another Premier League player

Trippier was a success during his two and a half year spell with Atletico, and helped the team beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the top of La Liga last season.

However he wanted to return to England and, after missing out on a return to the north west with Manchester United last summer, was sold to Newcastle United at the beginning of this month, because he wanted a new challenge.

Having started 12 games in the league for Atleti in this campaign, Diego Simeone's team do need to replace the right back, with Marcos Llorente and Sime Vrsaljko now filling in for their departed star.

According to AS, Simeone had identified another Premier League star to replace Trippier, who was signed from Tottenham Hotspur, in the shape of Matty Cash.

The report claims that, whilst a move for the full back could happen this month, it's more likely that any deal would take place in the summer.

Like Trippier, Cash has impressed with his ability to go forward as well as defend, and that helps with Simeone's system, with full backs, and wing backs, often utilised to get into the opposition half.

According to Sky Sports, the Spanish giants have already been in touch with the former Nottingham Forest defender's representatives over the potential move.

Cash moved to Villa Park in September 2020, costing around £15 million, and he has made 46 appearances in all competitions so far.

Steven Gerrard may have already found a replacement for the 24-year-old, who is now a Poland international, after signing Calum Chambers earlier this week.

Gerrard has been having a pretty impressive January window, after taking over at Villa from Dean Smith earlier this season, having added Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho to his team, as well as Chambers.

The new manager, who enjoyed his side's win over Everton last week, has also been linked with moves for Joe Gomez from Liverpool and Gerrard's own former Anfield teammate Luis Suarez.

He still won't want to lose Cash but it remains to be seen if the full back fancies trying to emulate Trippier's La Liga title win.