Newcastle eyeing Trippier move but Atleti chief shuts down team-mate claim

Kieran Trippier is reportedly being eyed by relegation-threatened Newcastle, but the Magpies have been warned off making a move for one of his Atletico Madrid team-mates.

Eddie Howe’s side are second-bottom of the Premier League table, ahead of only Norwich, having won just one game all season.

Having been taken over by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in October, Newcastle are looking to use their new-found billions to make a splash in the transfer market.

Their under-performing squad certainly need a boost if Howe is to guide them on a survival charge and Trippier appears to be his top target.

Trippier has been a stalwart in Atletico’s defence, helping them to win La Liga last season, but his contract will expire in the summer.

As a result, the Spanish champions are open to cashing in on the Englishman, who is thought to be ready to return to his homeland.

According to talkSPORT, Newcastle have been in talks with Atletico over a potential move for Trippier.

The Magpies are said to be ready to pay a fee of £25million for the 31-year-old and make him their highest paid player.

Who should be Newcastle's top target in the January transfer window? Let us know in the comments section…

But while Trippier looks set to be one of the first players to be signed by now-mega rich Newcastle, his Atletico team-mate Joao Felix has seen the door slammed shut on any move to St James’ Park.

Felix has been linked with a departure from the Wanda Metropolitano after an underwhelming spell in the Spanish capital following a £133m move from Benfica.

Newcastle are one of the clubs thought to be interested in the 22-year-old, but Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has attempted to head off any talk of a departure for the attacker.

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The Atletico chief went as far as to suggest Felix would not be allowed to leave under any circumstances, despite his challenging career at the club.

“He’s a magnificent player; I don’t think he wants to leave,” Cerezo told El Larguero, via Marca.

“He is non-transferable, and we are betting on him as we bet on Agüero in his day.”

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