The January transfer window comes to a close at 11pm tomorrow and it looks like at least one Newcastle United player will be on the move.

Lloyd Kelly is closing in on a £15m loan-to-buy switch to Juventus and a loan offer has arrived for Matt Targett, while it seems increasingly likely that Sean Longstaff remains at the club, for now at least.

As the deadline fast approaches it seems as though Eddie Howe will have one more bid to deal with promptly. 

Galatasaray to launch late bid?

Galatasaray are prepared to launch a €5m bid for experienced Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier, but an agreement for the defender this late in the window is unlikely to be agreed.

Ben Jacobs reports that Howe does not want to lose the 34-year-old as his squad has been thinned out with the departures of Miguel Almiron and the seemingly imminent exit of Kelly.

However, a deal will be revisited by the Turkish side in the summer if an agreement can’t be struck in the coming days.

Trippier arrived as a statement signing from Atletico Madrid and has been a pivotal player during PIF’s ownership of our club. Tino Livramento has since surpassed the veteran though with Trippier now considered behind the 22-year-old in the pecking order.

Risky business

Trippier is out of contract with Newcastle in 18 months and is one the club’s biggest earners. Those two factors may tempt us to cash in from a PSR perspective – but it’s not that simple.

After arriving at a crucial time in our recent history and remaining a key voice behind the scenes, it’s risky for us to lose another full-back option and a leader in group with no time left to replace.

An experienced head who has competed at the highest level who was willing to join us when things could have ended oh so different without his instant impact. 

Trippier remains a crucial voice in the changing room in another crunch close to the season. Our incredible form throughout December and January despite a few standout losses has put us in a competitive spot for top four in the league, with half a foot in the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup still to contend for.

Newcastle could have afforded to lose Trippier on the pitch with his contributions being diminished this season, but at a pivotal point in the campaign he is someone who would be difficult to replace.