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Newcastle United have submitted a formal bid for Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier, according to reports.
Newcastle’s new owners are hopeful of making England international Trippier their first major signing since completing their takeover of the club in October.
According to Sky Sports News, talks between the two clubs are ongoing over a potential January transfer.
Trippier has been with Atletico since joining from Tottenham in 2019.
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The 31-year-old has made 85 appearances for the Spanish club and played a key role last season as they won the La Liga title under Diego Simeone.
Newcastle are reportedly prepared to spend more than £30m to sign the right-back, who is entering the final 18 months of his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague says Trippier is keen to return to English football.
“Trippier has been approached. He likes the idea of going back. He doesn’t want to play in the Championship,” Balague told BBC 5 Live’s Euro Leagues show.
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“But he would like to play for Newcastle next season, yes. I think he’s got a buy-out clause of about €31m (£26m) or something like that.
“He has enjoyed Atletico Madrid but I feel he is ready to go back, go back to England.
“Atletico Madrid don’t want to let him go but at the same time… he was crucial last season, they changed their formation because of him and they took advantage a lot of his fantastic crosses and his pushing on, going forward.
“But right now he’s been injured, he had that problem where he had to disappear from everybody’s sight, and even thought they’re not in a great place, they consider him somebody that can be sold, yes.”
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When asked if Trippier could join Newcastle as early as this month, Balague added: “They do want him January. He has said yes to them for January.
“It’s Atletico Madrid now who’s got to say, ‘We let him go now or at the end of the season.’”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is keen to reunite with Trippier, who he first signed in 2011 during his time in charge of Burnley.
However, Howe has kept his cards close to his chest over the club’s efforts to sign the England defender.
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When asked about Trippier at a recent press conference, Howe said: “I won’t be commenting on any individual players.”
Newcastle are currently second bottom of the Premier League, two points adrift of safety, after a disappointing start to the season.
They were due to return to action against Southampton on Sunday before the match was postponed because of coronavirus cases and injuries in the Magpies squad.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Kieran Trippier, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Transfers, Football, Premier League