Manchester United have had an opening bid for Kieran Trippier turned down by Atletico Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano. The right-back, who is currently at the Euros with England, has long been rumoured to be a target.
Manchester United Fail in Kieran Trippier Approach
Manchester United’s First Push Fails
Manchester United have begun their dance with another of their transfer targets. Reportedly, they had multiple approaches for Jadon Sancho turned down by Borussia Dortmund. That includes a £67 million bid that was turned down recently.
Their latest transfer target is Trippier, who joined Atletico ahead of the 2019/20 season for a fee of £20 million plus add-ons. Trippier played every minute in the games he was available in. In December 2020 he was given a ten-week worlwide ban and fined £70,000 for four breaches of Football Association betting rules after he allegedly passed on information on his transfer to his friends who then placed bets on his transfer.
He was an integral part of the team otherwise, as Atletico Madrid won the La Liga for the first time since 2014.
Kieran Trippier: A Southgate Favourite
Kieran Trippier happens to be one of England manager Gareth Southgate’s favoured players. He kept his place in an England squad that initaly had four right-backs. Competition from the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James hasn’t affected his position. Southgate called him a ‘defensive animal’ in a recent press conference, praising his defensive capabilities. Simeone has been effusive in his praise too.
In England’s Euro 2020 opener against Croatia, Trippier started at left-back, despite having Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell at his disposal. He repaid the faith with a fairly solid performance as England picked up a 1-0 victory.
United’s Negotiation Woes
If everything had gone perfectly, Jadon Sancho would be representing Manchester United at the Euros this summer. The negotiations stalled last year, and this time around things seem to be going similarly.
They have now set their eyes on Trippier, whose price tag has been set by Atletico to around £34 million. Trippier provides quality competition to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, something that has been sorely missing since his arrival from Crystal Palace. It also provides a certain flexibility towards formations. Considering Trippier’s quality defesively and on set pieces, it isn’t difficult to see why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants him.
Trippier, now 30, started out in the Manchester City academy but left without playing a senior game for the club. He could end up at their bitter city rivals soon if negotiations go well.
Heaton Completes Medical
Meanwhile, Tom Heaton has completed his medical. The Manchester United academy graduate is set to return to his boyhood club, where he will sign a contract until June 2023.
The former Burnley goalkeeper, who has three caps for England, joined Aston Villa two years ago after a six-year spell at Turf Moor. He was plagued by injuries at Villa Park, which forced the club into signing a new goalkeeper last summer. Emiliano Martinez joined from Arsenal and has set himself up as the undisputed number one.
Heaton’s contract expires at the end of this month, freeing him up for a return to Manchester.
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