Manchester United have reportedly been slapped with a €40 million price-tag for Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are ready to cash in on Kieran Trippier, using it as an opportunity to recoup the money they need for top target Rodrigo De Paul. Manchester United are mainly the club interested in the services of the England right-back, who is now expected to cost around €40 million.
Unsurprisingly, Udinese have asked Atletico Madrid the exact amount for De Paul, so the newly crowned La Liga champions are essentially using the potential sale of Trippier to fund a move for the Argentine international. Diego Simeone’s preference, though, is to keep hold of Trippier, as he does lack depth in the right-back department.
Atlético Madrid are still negotiating for Rodrigo de Paul as main target. Udinese want €40m to sell him – bid for €20m and Nehuén Perez has been turned down ??
…and Atlético are asking for €40m for Kieran Trippier. Man Utd interested, Atléti want to keep him. ? #MUFC https://t.co/oH2sH5nGgd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 11, 2021
The departure of the former Tottenham star, therefore, will force him to enter the market for a new right-back. The La Liga club have already been linked with multiple players over the past season or so, including Arsenal;s long-serving defender Hector Bellerin.
A product of the Manchester City youth academy, Trippier is among the well-respected right-backs in England. Although the 30-year-old rose to prominence at Tottenham Hotspur, he has flourished since his move to Atletico Madrid, even helping Los Colchoneros win the La Liga title this past season.
Overall, Trippier has 68 competitive appearances for Atletico Madrid, visibly improving his athleticism and tactical discipline under the leadership of Simeone while simultaneously attracting interest from Manchester United.
The Red Devils are thought to be determined to add more options in the right-back department. It appears Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to add more competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, considering how a similar formula worked on the opposite flank.
The move could also be made in view of using Wan-Bissaka as a potential centre-back option in the future, allowing Trippier to become Manchester United’s first-choice right-back. It offers more variety to Solskjaer as well, as Trippier is the more attack-minded option whereas Wan-Bissaka is a defence-oriented option.
The Englishman’s arrival might not bode well for Diogo Dalot and his future at Manchester United. The young right-back is expected to return to Old Trafford after a loan season at AC Milan. He was linked with a move to Everton earlier in the summer.
Dalot is not the only Manchester United youngster facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford. He is joined by Axel Tuanzebe and Daniel James, whose future depends on the arrival of Jadon Sancho.
Fortunately for the Welshman, though, Borussia Dortmund have so far remained resilient in keeping hold of the ex-Manchester City prodigy, holding out for a €90 million price tag that falls well short of United’s first bid worth around €69 million.