Manchester United have been told by Atletico Madrid that right-back Kieran Trippier will not come cheap. The former Tottenham defender joins the Spanish club in 2019 and he has gone on to make 69 appearances for the club in all competitions, assisting 11 times.
According to Spanish publication AS, Atletico Madrid have no intention of selling Manchester United and Arsenal target Kieran Trippier.
They will only allow him to leave if any club matches their €60million release clause of the 30-year-old. The report states that no club will be willing to pay the release clause, especially in this current financial climate.
Trippier has two years remaining on his current deal at Atletico Madrid. The English international has made 33 appearances for his national team.
Should Manchester United look for alternatives?
Kieran Trippier has had a successful stint at Atletico Madrid since moving to the club in 2019. The 30-year-old has excelled at right-back and has also been used well in the wing-back role, where his accurate crossing and passing from wide areas have helped Atleti. Trippier’s running with the ball has also been a big bonus for the Spanish club.
Trippier is the type of player that Manchester United need, an attack-minded right-back who will be an alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Wan-Bissaka has been solid since moving from Crystal Palace, but there has been criticism about his attacking abilities. The United full-back is superb in defensive situations, especially one-on-one duels, where his speed and tackling help him dispossess opponents.
Although Trippier would be an attacking threat with his crossing, runs and passing, the transfer fee of €60 million is far too high for a right-back who is set to turn 31 next month. United could maybe consider signing him if the fee is half of what Atleti is demanding.
Manchester United should perhaps look elsewhere to sign an attacking right-back, and could maybe also target a full-back who is south of 30 years of age as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is building a young squad. The Red Devils also have Portuguese right-back Diogo Dalot, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan and had a decent spell there. He also featured for Portugal at Euro 2020.
Dalot hasn’t been given too many opportunities under Solskjaer and the 2021-22 season could be the perfect time for him to get some game time. With the addition of Raphael Varane, Manchester United could afford to play attacking full-backs on both wings as the Frenchman has the speed to recover and stop opposition attacks.
Dalot is a good crosser and has the speed to bomb up and down the wing. Left-back Luke Shaw’s rise in form coincided with United signing Alex Telles, which could be a similar scenario on the opposite flank with Wan-Bissaka and Dalot.
Solskjaer could perhaps give Dalot more chances this season and see what he can offer after a string of games before going into the market to sign another right-back.
