Why Man Utd did not sign Trippier
Robin Bairner
- 27 Jan 2022 09:22 GMT
- 3 min read
Manchester United were closely linked with a move for Atletico Madrid’s former right-back Kieran Trippier in the summer of 2021.
Coming off the back of a highly successful Euro 2020, Trippier was widely expected to strengthen the right side of the Old Trafford club’s defence, which continues to be considered a weak link.
However, despite reports that a deal was close, the transfer was never completed.
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Instead, Trippier made a switch to Newcastle during the January transfer window for €16 million (£13.5m), allowing him to complete a move back to England, where he could be closer to his family.
He has now revealed the reason why Man Utd did not complete a deal with him: they did not want to match Atletico Madrid’s demands.
“After the Euros, there was really strong interest,” Trippier told The Athletic. “I’ve got to be careful what I say because I don’t want to get into trouble, but yeah, there was interest. We had conversations, but Atletico Madrid just wanted my release clause and it was a lot of money for a 30-year-old, so I understand why Man United didn’t do that. There were other clubs interested…
“Anyway, it’s gone now, so it doesn’t bother me.”
What was Trippier's Atletico Madrid release clause?
It was previously reported by The Telegraph in December that Trippier’s release clause from his Atletico Madrid deal was €35m (£31m) – far in excess of what Newcastle ultimately purchased him for.
Meanwhile, Man Utd continue to persist with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot in the right-back position, with neither apparently convincing interim boss Ralf Rangnick of their long-term suitability for the role.
Indeed, this remains an area of the field that Man Utd are likely to strengthen, although it appears they will now wait until the summer transfer window to do so, having missed out on Trippier.
