Newcastle United transfer target Kieran Trippier returned to the Atletico Madrid starting line-up following a period out with a shoulder injury.
The England international has been heavily linked with a January move to St James’ Park, and it’s looking likely that Trippier could be a Magpies player next month.
The Northern Echo reported this week that Newcastle are ‘increasingly confident’ of securing the services of the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back.
It would be a massive signing for the new Toon owners, who would be making a real statement of intent by signing the 31-year-old, who could be willing to sacrifice Champions League football for a Premier League relegation dogfight.
The former Tottenham man is reportedly interested in joining the Toon Army, as he looks to seal a return to England, following two-and-a-half years in Spain.
Newcastle United target Kieran Trippier makes injury return
After being an unused substitute in last weekend’s 2-0 derby defeat to Real Madrid, Diego Simeone recalled Trippier for the trip to Sevilla last night.
It was Trippier’s first appearance since early November where he came off injured in a 3-3 draw at Valencia.
Trippier played the full game in the 2-1 defeat at Sevilla, which was Atletico’s third straight La Liga defeat.
At the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, the attacking full-back had more touches on the pitch (74), apart from Sevilla centre back Jules Kounde (98), according to WhoScored.
Trippier’s contract expires in the summer, although it will be extended for 12 months if he reaches 20 starts this season.
Following last night’s defeat, the former Manchester City academy graduate now has 13 starts to his name ahead of Wednesday’s trip to La Liga.
Although there have been contrasting reports surrounding Atletico’s asking price for Trippier, it’s clear Simeone still sees him as a valued part of his side.
However, with five La Liga games and two potential Copa del Rey games between now and 23 January, before La Liga takes a two-week winter break, if Trippier started all seven of those games, he would trigger his one-year contract extension at the reigning La Liga champions.
Newcastle will be hoping to wrap up his signature before then and strike a deal with Los Colchoneros whilst Trippier’s current deal ticks down to the final six months.
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