Kieran Trippier exit talks can now commence as Newcastle line up new January signings
Kieran Trippier can now discuss a summer exit from Newcastle United as he enters the last seven months of his contract.
After starting the season among Eddie Howe‘s first choices, Trippier has spent over a month out of action with an injury.
The 35-year-old is coming towards the end of his career, and now appears ready to call time on his superb four-year stint with the Magpies.
Football Insider revealed in October that Newcastle are keen to agree a new contract with Trippier, but the right-back is yet to make a final decision on his future.
James Tavernier is among the options that Newcastle could seek to replace Trippier, but decision-makers will hope to at least keep the former England international for the rest of the season.
Newcastle United assess several January options
It has been a difficult point of the season for Newcastle over the past month, but Howe’s side secured a confidence-boosting win at Burnley on Tuesday.
Joelinton kicked off the scoring in just the second minute, before Yoane Wissa‘s goal had the Magpies in a commanding lead before the 10-minute mark.
Burnley would get a goal back, but Bruno Guimaraes would be on hand to wrap up the three points for the visitors in stoppage time.
It was a rare away win in the Premier League for Newcastle – just their second this season – and it was an ideal way to end the year.
Newcastle will hope to make several additions in the January transfer window, with the Daily Mail reporting on Thursday that defensive cover is a priority for Howe.
Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie is admired, with the loan market also to be explored. In other positions, the Magpies are strongly interested in AZ Alkmaar talent Kees Smit and also like Kevin Danois and Luciano Valente.
As Trippier prepares for pre-contract offers from foreign clubs, William Osula is attracting interest from several suitors.
Eddie Howe desperate for Kieran Trippier to stay
Newcastle spent just £12million to sign Trippier from Atletico Madrid in 2022. He was the first signing made by the Magpies’ new owners, and in many fan’s eyes, the most important.
The defender had huge Premier League experience with Burnley and Tottenham, but no one could have predicted the transformative effect he would have at St James’ Park.
Trippier exuded leadership, technical quality, and mentality, and it spread throughout the squad.
Newcastle had won just one Premier League game in the 2021/22 season before his January arrival, but when the season ended, they had won 13.
Speaking about him in September, Howe said: “Kieran is a very, very experienced player and very important for us. His contract length is something that an incoming sporting director will be on top of.”
Ross Wilson was that incoming sporting director, but Trippier’s future remains just as unclear.