Newcastle make decision on Trippier transfer after Bayern Munich approach

Suraj Radia

• 21 Jan 2024 13:38 GMT
• 3 min read

Newcastle have insisted that neither Kieran Trippier or Callum Wilson will be allowed to leave the club this month, with both players being subject to approaches from major European sides in recent days.

Trippier cut short his holiday during Newcastle’s weekend off in order to hold talks with the club, with Bayern Munich making a bid to sign the 33-year-old.

Reports in Germany suggested that Trippier had agreed to a move and was tempted by a prospective link up with former Tottenham teammates Harry Kane and Eric Dier in Munich, however Newcastle rebuffed any notion of a sale.

The same attitude was held towards Atletico Madrid’s interest in Wilson, with the La Liga giants believed to have made an initial enquiry over a loan for the striker.

But after a tense 48-hour period of rumours, multiple reports have claimed that Newcastle have spoken to both players and informed them that they will not be sold this month.

Newcastle believe the matter to be closed and both players have reaffirmed their commitment to the club, with neither pushing for an exit having been assured of their importance to the team and Eddie Howe.

Why would Newcastle consider selling their star players?

Newcastle CEO Darren Eales spoke earlier this month of the club’s need to sell key players in the future in order to appease the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, which alerted clubs to the potential availability of stars such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.

And while Newcastle will need to make a ‘Jack Grealish’-type sale eventually, it is more likely to be a player that can command a record fee such as Guimaraes, who has a release clause worth more €115 million in his contract, and during the summer as opposed to mid-season.

Both Trippier and Wilson have 18 months left on their contracts and Newcastle would be naïve to reject any significant offer for their veterans, however there has been nothing to suggest an offer for ‘silly money’ is forthcoming.

In particular, a sale of two leaders at a crucial point of the season in the name of financial fair play would undermine Howe and the goal Newcastle have of establishing themselves as European regulars, particularly in the midst of an injury crisis.

The attention will now be on Howe to regain his players’ focus ahead of a crucial game at Aston Villa next week and hope for any new additions to his squad before the end of the month without the need to sacrifice key players in the process.