Manchester United are reportedly considering making a swoop for Atletico Madrid and England defender Kieran Trippier in the January transfer window.
According to a report from MARCA, Manchester United are preparing to launch a move for Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier in the upcoming transfer window after failing to land him in the summer.
Trippier has been with Atletico Madrid for over two years now, having signed from Tottenham Hotspur in 2019. The England international has grown into a vital cog in Diego Simeone’s setup and was key to their La Liga title triumph in the previous campaign. He has made 83 appearances for Los Colchoneros so far, registering 11 assists in the process.
A regular for the England national team, Trippier has 35 caps for the Three Lions and was a regular in the side that made it to the finals of the UEFA Euro 2020 earlier this year. His exploits had led to strong interest from Manchester United all through the summer as they sought to bolster their options in the right-back slot, but a move failed to materialise.
Having stayed put at the Wanda Metropolitano, Trippier has featured in all but one game for Atletico Madrid this season. And, ahead of the January transfer window, the 31-year-old is reportedly back on the agenda for Manchester United as they are set to launch yet another attempt to land him in the winter.
Manchester United have Aaron Wan-Bissaka as their first-choice right-back, with Diogo Dalot providing cover in the position. However, the former Crystal Palace man has seen his form dip quite a fair bit this season while the issues with his attacking gameplay continue to persist. Dalot, meanwhile, is not favoured by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and is being linked with an exit in January.
Indeed, the Portuguese international is being courted by former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who wants to sign him at AS Roma in the January window. The right-back, for his part, is also believed to be keen on a switch to Italy, having enjoyed a decent spell on loan at AC Milan last season.
This situation puts Manchester United in a tricky position heading into the new year. While Dalot is not entirely favoured by the manager, letting him go would mean they will not have any cover at right-back. So, they are now intent on signing Trippier, who would not only add more quality and experience to the squad but also facilitate the exit of the unwanted Portuguese defender.
Having dug their heels in over Trippier’s future in the summer, Atletico Madrid would now consider a sale, as per the report, if a sizeable offer arrives. It now remains to be seen if Manchester United get their man at the second time of asking or whether they decide to continue with Wan-Bissaka and Dalot as their options at right-back for the rest of the season.
