Arsenal are set to reignite their interest in Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier, as they look to strengthen their squad further before the transfer window closes.
Kieran Trippier, 30, is understood to be keen on a return to England after spending two successful years with Atletico Madrid following his move from Tottenham Hotspur. The full-back, who has been heavily linked with a summer move to Manchester United, played an integral role in Los Rojiblancos’ La Liga title triumph last season. He then starred for England in Euro 2020, helping Gareth Southgate’s side reach the finale.
Atletico Madrid want any interested club to pay the full £34million release clause for Trippier, but with the full-back entering the final year of his deal, Arsenal hope the LaLiga champions will lower their price in the final week of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have already spent over £120m on new players this summer, with players such as Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale arriving at the Emirates Stadium. They have only managed to sell Joe Willock to Newcastle United for over £20m but remain open to offloading the likes of Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Hector Bellerin and Lucas Torreira.
Despite bringing in five new players, Arsenal have endured a torrid start to the new Premier League campaign with Mikel Arteta facing questions over his future. They have lost their opening two games to Brentford and Chelsea respectively and face Manchester City next in the Premier League.
Defensive problems continue at Arsenal
Arsenal have conceded four goals in their opening two games of the season with no goal scored in return. Mikel Arteta’s rearguard was bullied by both Brentford and Arsenal, and regardless of bringing in Ben White and Nuno Tavares this summer, the north London giants must spend again to fix their defensive problems.
The right-back position is a matter of grave concern for Arteta, who witnessed Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares struggle during the first two games. Academy graduates Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are both linked with an exit, thereby, underlining the need for reinforcements in the right-back position.
Kieran Trippier could be a top signing for the Gunners
Kieran Trippier is primarily a right-back but is more than capable of playing as a left-back or as a wing-back. He has played at right-back and right wing-back at Atletico under Diego Simeone, with the Englishman proving to be one of the most attacking full-backs in LaLiga. The England international registered six assists in28 league games and he formed part of an aggressive pressing system at Atletico that won the LaLiga title last term.
The 30-year-old defender also delivered some impressive performances for England in the European Championships, most notably supplying the assist for Luke Shaw’s opener in the final against Italy. Trippier possesses attacking qualities that he can use in the final third, such as incisive passing, excellent delivery and a willingness to stretch defences.
He’s playing at the peak of his powers and it’s reasonable to suggest that he would act as a greater threat in possession than both Cedric and Bellerin while also adding solidity and his valuable experience to the Arsenal backline.
If Trippier’s previous links with Tottenham are ignored, the Gunners managing to thrash out a deal with Atletico for the full-back would represent a smart piece of business.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
