19 January 2024 , 11:58
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Kieran Trippier is wanted by Bayern Munich this month - and any deal would send two big signals from Newcastle United.
If they get a fee - or a loan with a guarantee of a fee - it can be justified in that the England defender is 33 and out of contract in summer 2025. The club needs to ease their Profit and Sustainability Rule position, and raise cash to be able to buy. They also have a ready made replacement in Tino Livramento to ease the blow.
So, in a way, it makes sense.
But it also sends a hint that Newcastle are now a club in transition, and that the season is close to being a write off, with them 13 points worse off than last term in tenth place and struggling to get back into European contention.
In truth, Trippier’s stay on Tyneside may well have peaked. For two years he has been one of the catalysts for Eddie Howe’s revival, and few players have been more influential. But recently he has made big mistakes on the pitch, been the subject of unsavoury chanting from Sunderland fans, and not looked his usual self on or off the pitch.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Today’s development that Thomas Tuchel wants to unite him with Harry Kane and Eric Dier will split fan opinion.
But a clear out is being planned at St James’ Park. Javier Manquillo is off to Celta Vigo. The fact Bruno Guimaraes visited Paris this week, supposedly on a family holiday, will raise suspicions, rightly or wrongly.
He wants Champions League football and to win things. A release clause of £99m would be hard for any rival to reach. But have Newcastle already got Bruno’s replacement in Sandro Tonali, currently banned for betting offences and due back playing in August?
Newcastle effectively invited bids for players when chief exec Darren Eales went on the record to say they will be big sellers, so they can reinvest in fresh talent.
That has destabilised things rather for Howe, who now has transfer speculation and turmoil surrounding most of his squad. Joelinton is in a contract stand-off because of his wage demands and could be sold in the summer.
Newcastle are on a run of eight defeats in ten games and face Fulham in the FA Cup next weekend.