Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United.
According to a recent report from El Gol Digital, Arsenal are striving to beat Manchester United to Kieran Trippier’s signature by outbidding them in the market. The England international is keen to make a return to his native land after spending two-year at La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United have a longstanding interest in the player and have been in talks with Atletico throughout this summer to bring Trippier to Old Trafford. However, they are unwilling to meet Atletico’s valuation of £34 million for the right-back
Solskjaer wants to add Trippier to his right-back department to provide healthy competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Manchester United are on the course to having one of the best transfer windows for a while now, having already secured two top players in Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho. And a seasoned veteran like Trippier will be another statement addition.
On the other hand, Arsenal are considering the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star as a potential replacement for outgoing Hector Bellerin, who is set to leave the club after 10 years at North London, with Milan and Leverkusen being touted as probable destinations for the Spaniard.
As things stand, The current bid is at £20 million by Manchester United, while Atletico are expecting at least £34 million for the player. The Gunners can now seize the situation by bidding more than their competitor, which provides them with an added advantage in their pursuit for Trippier.
Add to the fact that we’re approaching very closer to the beginning of the new campaign, any serious bids would be considered by Atleti who want to offload the player as early as possible. The La Liga champions have no intentions of dragging on this transfer saga as they believe the off-field talks can hinder their progress going into next season where they will be aiming to defend their crown.
Trippier has made 53 appearances at Wanda Metropolitano in which he has racked up 11 assists. He is a traditional overlapping full-back with brilliant set-piece prowess and has got a wicked delivery. Trippier is equally comfortable playing as a wing-back in a back-five or on the left/right side of a back four, which we saw in this year’s Euros’ where he was deployed mostly as a right wing-back by Southgate.
Bellerin is set to leave in this summer’s window and would leave a void in the right-back slot. However, Arsenal should stay clear of Trippier as even though he would represent to be a fine signing for the Gunners, there are more drawbacks to bring him to Emirates than advantages.
Mikel Arteta and Edu are already on their way to changing the philosophy of recruitment at Arsenal, this would dent all those foundations, as spending over £30 million on a 30-year-old who has had fitness issues and has a history with their local rivals doesn’t seem a sensible business. There are better alternatives available in the market.
