Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has provided an update on the progress of ‘extraordinary’ Kieran Tripper’s transfer to Newcastle. The Magpies reportedly submitted a bid for the right-back on New Year’s Day as boss Eddie Howe looks to use the transfer market to rescue his side from relegation.
Newcastle have won just one game in the Premier League all season and currently sit second bottom of the table.
But they were taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October to become the club with the richest owners in the Premier League.
And with their project in danger of suffering the early setback of relegation to the Championship, the Magpies are likely to splash the cash in the January transfer window.
Striker will be a priority after the injuries to Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin, but the other end of the pitch is also in dire need of reinforcements.
Newcastle have the joint-worst defensive record in the top-flight alongside Norwich, with both club’s conceding 42 goals in just 19 games this term.
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Newcastle are looking to use their mega-rich owners to rescue Premier League survival (Image: Express Sport)
Atletico were able to hold onto him in the summer when Manchester United became interested in the England international.
And Simeone is just as keen to keep the ‘extraordinary’ 31-year-old, who helped Atleti win the La Liga title last season.
“We want him to stay, but you can’t force anyone to stay. An extraordinary player,” Simeone said following his side’s win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
“He is an extraordinary footballer that has given us a lot. But as I have said, it depends on him. We hope that Trippier can stay but I don’t know if you can’t hold anyone back in life.”
Trippier played all 90 minutes as Atletico beat Rayo Vallecano (Image: Getty Images)