According to Eurosport, Newcastle believe they are ‘closing in’ on a deal to sign Kieran Trippier – but we could be about to face late competition from several Premier League clubs.
They report that SIX fellow top flight clubs have made enquiries about the Atletico Madrid right-back after learning that he is ‘serious’ about returning to England next month.
Eurosport claim that Eddie Howe is confident he’s sold the club to Trippier, however it seems this will be put to the test when offers from other Premier League sides arrive over the coming weeks.
Elsewhere, the same piece states that we are are also showing interest in Brazilian striker Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa.
The 25-year-old Flamengo star was the top scorer in this year’s Copa Libertadores, scoring 11 goals in 13 games, and it’s said he would ‘love to prove himself in Europe’ after a mixed spell at Inter Milan previously.
West Ham and Aston Villa are also believed to be showing interest in the forward, with both potentially deemed more attractive options given they aren’t embroiled in a relegation fight.
The biggest problem for me is how quickly we get players in. We need them from 2st Jan, not 3 or 4 more games down the line. We wasted time and points by taking weeks to appoint Howe and it’s been a similar story chasing a Director of Football. Are we ready to go from day one? We’ve been linked with hundreds of players but we need PL experience, certainly not little heard of foreign guys who would like the chance to prove themselves. Players are on a short Xmas break but behind the scenes the powers that be MUST BE WORKING ALL HOURS TO HAVE 4 or 5 KEY PLAYERS TO UNVEIL ON 3RD JAN….NOTHING ELSE IS ACCEPTABLE!
John Gofton(Quote)