Kieran Trippier remains a priority signing for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe in the January transfer window - with Atletico Madrid right back open to a return to the Premier League too
- Kieran Trippier's contract at Atletico Madrid expires at the end of the season
- Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe values the right back's leadership highly
- Newcastle are in a relegation dog-fight and are keen to strengthen in January
Newcastle United are persisting in their push to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid in January.
The 31-year-old England international is at the top of Eddie Howe's wish-list having previously signed him for Burnley in 2012.
There had been concern over a shoulder injury Trippier suffered at the start of November and he is yet to feature for Atletico despite returning to the bench at the weekend.
![Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier remains a top transfer target for Newcastle in January](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/14/21/51793771-0-image-a-1_1639516840322.jpg)
Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier remains a top transfer target for Newcastle in January
![Trippier is currently sidelined until January with a shoulder injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/14/21/51793821-0-image-m-6_1639516892830.jpg)
![Newcastle boss Eddie Howe values Trippier's leadership and hopes to convince him to sign](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/14/21/51793827-0-image-a-7_1639516901550.jpg)
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe values Trippier's leadership and hopes to convince him to sign
The defender has six months left on his contract at around £130,000-a-week, and it is understood he will trigger another year's option if he starts 20 games.
Trippier is open to a return to England - although there is no guarantee yet he wants to join Newcastle - and Atletico are likely to demand a fee in excess of £20million.
Newcastle are also keen on Lille centre-back Sven Botman, but are conscious of the competition they would face for the Dutch Under-21 international.
Other centre-back targets are being assessed, as are midfielders and young strikers.
Tottenham's Harry Winks and Joe Rodon have both figured in discussions. Loan deals are likely to be their best bet of recruiting new players, with concern among targets over which division the club will be playing in next season.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have appointed Mark Leyland to their backroom staff, the analyst joins from Liverpool and worked with Howe previously at Burnley.
![Trippier, who will be a free agent next summer, is open to a return to the Premier League](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/14/21/51793963-0-image-a-8_1639517034275.jpg)
Trippier, who will be a free agent next summer, is open to a return to the Premier League
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