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Kieran Trippier is set to earn around £7.5 million per year if his mooted move to Newcastle United is finalised.
The England defender is reportedly closing into a Premier League return and appeared to say farewell to Atletico Madrid fans after the 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Newcastle have targeted Trippier ever since they were taken over by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and look poised to make the former Spurs man their highest-paid player.
Ruben Uria of Goal says Newcastle have offered Trippier a salary of €9 million and Atletico will not stand in his way despite not wanting or needing to offload him.
In terms of a transfer fee, it's said Newcastle will be paying between €30 and €35 million for the right-back and are confident of agreeing a fee and getting the deal done.
Simeone hopes Trippier will stay after he helped Atleti win La Liga last term but says "it depends on him".
"We want him to stay, but you can’t force anyone to stay. An extraordinary player,” Simeone commented after the Rayo Vallecano win at the Wanda Metropolitano.
“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 has made 83 appearances for Atletico after signing from Spurs in 2019 but is believed to be keen on returning to English football.
The 31-year-old has continued to be a regular under Gareth Southgate for England, where he's been capped 35 times.
Newcastle, who currently have Emil Krafth, Javier Manquillo and Jacob Murphy as options at right-back, have conceded 42 goals in 19 games and boast the joint-worst defensive record in the league.
Featured Image Credit: Image: PATopics: Kieran Trippier, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Premier League
Josh Lawless