Manchester United chased Kieran Trippier throughout the last summer window, but were unsuccessful in their efforts to take him, due to their failure to find an agreement with Atlético Madrid.
A month ago, we relayed news from Spain that the right-back was ‘clinging’ to the Red Devils’ interest in the last window.
The 31-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in his side’s 3-3 draw against Valencia and is not expected to feature again in this calendar year.
Marca now focus on the fixtures the former Tottenham Hotspur man will miss, the alternatives at Diego Simeone’s disposal and they mention his form.
The report states the player has had a ‘difficult season’ due to several reasons. He joined pre-season training late, after his involvement with England at Euro 2020, where the Three Lions lost to Italy in the final. It has made it difficult for him to ‘catch the rhythm’.
Trippier has not just been ‘affected’ by sporting reasons, but also what happened off the pitch. Marca say he tried to leave in the summer and is ‘wanted by Manchester United’.
He remains ‘fundamental’ to Simeone’s plans, which is why the manager ‘didn’t want to hear the option of an exit’ last summer.
The defender has admitted he wants to return to England and the newspaper is of the belief this could be a tactic used to put pressure on Atlético, to get a ‘salary increase’.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gianluca Di Marzio reported Manchester United are ready to give ‘green light’ for Diogo Dalot to leave the club, if they manage to ‘find an agreement’ with the La Liga winners for Trippier’s transfer.
The Atlético man’s desire to return to the Premier League, and United still maintaining interest in him show that pieces are falling into place for a potential transfer.
Trippier’s contract expires in 2023 and Atlético will have to take a decision on his future, since he is still wanted by the Manchester club.
