Newcastle set to battle Man Utd for No.1 January transfer target
Newcastle are just weeks away from finally getting the chance to open up their cheque book with the opening of the January transfer window.
And new manager Eddie Howe is ready to prove his side's financial muscle by going head-to-head on a player deemed to be the club's No.1 target.
Newcastle find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone ahead of a difficult run of fixtures and need an improvement to pull themselves out of danger.
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Kieran Trippier of Atetlico Madrid is reportedly the club's major January priority but Man Utd have also been long associated with the right-back.
The England star, however, has previously worked with Howe during the manager's brief spell in charge of Burnley.
The Sun reports that Trippier has already held talks with the Newcastle boss, with his Atletico contract expiring in July 2023.
However, a one-year extension will be triggered in Spain if Trippier starts 20 matches this season. He has so far started 12, nine in La Liga and three in the Champions League.
Another report in The Northern Echo states that Trippier will be offered a staggering £150,000-a-week contract by Newcastle, making him comfortably the highest-paid player in the club's history.
Trippier wants Premier League return
England international Trippier has played 83 times for Atletico after moving from Tottenham in 2019.
But after a summer move to Man Utd failed to materialise, the player is open to returning to the Premier League.
He has missed the Spanish champions' last three matches with a shoulder injury as the club has struggled to keep pace with city rivals Real Madrid.
And Trippier knows that he needs to play regular first-team football with a World Cup in 2022.
The 31-year-old is currently valued at €12m and Newcastle will be confident of capturing him for less than the €30m Atletico wanted from United after Euro 2020, when they had just won La Liga.
Will Trippier to Newcastle happen?
Signing Kieran Trippier would be a significant sign of intent by Newcastle and a solid way to kick off the new Saudi Arabian owners' rebuilding project.
But as the team continues to struggle on the pitch, any player they approach in January will fear that the club will be playing Championship football come August.
And this might lead to contract clauses that allow any January signings the option to leave in the summer to seek top-level football for a set price.
That summer transfer fee may well be less than Newcastle have paid.
If Man Utd were to move for Trippier, they would surely be a more attractive option at this juncture.
