Simon Jordan has blasted Kieran Trippier for joining Newcastle and thinks the move is motivated totally by money, but talkSPORT colleague Trevor Sinclair was having none of it.
The England international has left the reigning La Liga champions to become our first signing under new ownership.
The deal is believed to be around £12million + add-ons, with recent reports suggesting he’ll become our highest paid player on around £100,000 to £130,000-per-week.
Former Crystal Palace owner Jordan thinks financial gain is the sole reason why the 31-year-old will swap the Champions League for a potential Championship campaign next season.
However, Sinclair rejected these claims in a heated exchange with Jordan, insisting Trippier has also joined Newcastle for footballing reasons.
He points towards the project at Newcastle as an attraction and questions whether money really is a motive considering Trippier is already a multi-millionaire, saying he’d have gone to China if he was focused solely on money.
Watch the clip of the two going at it on talkSPORT here:
Another important point is that Trippier will be returning to England after two-and-half years, with it well-documented that he is also keen to be closer to his family in the North West.
Yes, players are clearly going to come to us for the money but it doesn’t seem to be the case here with Trippier…
As Sinclair says, the Three Lions full-back is already minted and £100k-a-week is hardly groundbreaking for a Premier League footballer; never mind a player who made last season’s La Liga team of the year after winning the title.
The chance to become a cult hero at St James’ Park will play a factor in Trippier’s decision but the main reason, in my opinion, is down to his desire to return home.
Jordan is also quick to forget that Trippier worked under Eddie Howe during their time together at Burnley – another factor that has likely swung the deal in our favour.
Fair game when some of our future signings are branded as mercenaries but, in this case, I think that would be being extremely ignorant to the full context.
That’s Jordan he likes to be in the spotlight being a nobody, not all players are mercenaries for cash. He wanted to work with Howe again and be closer to his family, which is just down the road from here. Not everyone wants to live in London and play for one of the top 6, maybe being a part of a project? Hwtl
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)
Good lad Trevor! Sticking up for the truth and recognising what a great opportunity NUFC is! No loyalties to the Toon but passionate and understanding of the club and potential.
Ant Jowsey(Quote)