Kieran Trippier has shut down claims that he came to Newcastle United for the money, revealing he could’ve been earning more in Spain had he stayed at Atletico Madrid.
Back in January, TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan insisted that the 32-year-old was arriving on Tyneside for “one reason and one reason only” – for the money on offer.
He claimed that the “economic package suits him at this stage of his career” just days after he swapped Champions League football for a relegation battle under Eddie Howe, however the England international has now explained the motives behind his decision.
Trippier admits that he had other things going on at his life at the time, meaning a return to his home country was more important than his salary – not that he’s bothered by those who continue to suggest otherwise.
Speaking on the Under the Cosh podcast, Trippier hit back with this:
“If people think it was about money then I should have stayed in Madrid because I got a new three-year contract there.
“If it was about money, I would have stayed.
“I know it wasn’t about money. I had other things that were happening at the time, which were more important than money. That’s why I came back to England.
“It doesn’t bother me that people say that. That’s just their opinion.”
Here’s a reminder of what Jordan had to say back in January:
