Diego Simeone has dropped the biggest hint yet that Kieran Trippier is looking to leave Atletico Madrid this month amid interest from Newcastle United.
The right-back started in their La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night, playing the full 90 in a 2-0 win.
After being the last player to leave the pitch in what looked like a wave goodbye to Atletico Madrid fans, Simeone admitted after the game that they want him to stay…but accepted it’s hard to keep anyone who ‘wants to leave.’
Here’s what he told the Spanish press following the match:
“We want him to stay.
“He’s a very important player. An extraordinary player.
“What happens will depend on the footballer.
“But nowadays, when a player wants to leave, he cannot be forced to stay.
“I don’t know how we can retain anyone in life.”
This comes after we submitted a formal bid to sign the 31-year-old just yesterday, with The Athletic adding that Newcastle United are increasingly confident of getting their man.
Considering Trippier’s ‘wave goodbye’ at the end of tonight’s game and Simeone’s telling comments, it seems like we could make him our first signing of the Saudi era IF a fee can be agreed with Atletico Madrid.
