Of all the transfer moves this summer, Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid will go down as one of the more surprising ones.
The full-back didn’t enjoy the best of seasons last year following his exploits at the World Cup, and Tottenham were more than happy to move him on.
There were several clubs linked with his signature but few predicted a move to a club as big as Atletico, though, given the less than stellar campaign he had last season.
The England international was seemingly second choice at best for the La Liga club, given they had targeted Barcelona’s Nelson Semedo before the fallout from Antoine Griezmann’s move to the Nou Camp stopped that one in its tracks.
Atletico shopped around for alternatives and finally landed on Trippier. One of the other players they looked at was Elseid Hysaj and, speaking in an interview with Corriere Dello Sport, his agent Mario Giuffredi, has hinted that Trippier was definitely a second choice for Atletico.
“Between tonight and tomorrow, I will go to Dimaro, to talk with my clients and to take stock of the situation,” he said.
“I go there to understand how Di Lorenzo and Mario Rui are finding themselves and to take stock of the situation on the market, especially concerning ad Hysaj.
” Then I will talk to Giuntoli and Ancelotti. I don’t think Hysaj will remain at Naples, we will work to the end to take him to another club.
“Napoli today has five fullbacks in pink and then because I believe his time in blue is over.
“Hysaj has only a two year contract with Napoli, he comes from a bad season and certain figures in today’s market, should be considered, but I don’t want to go into the price argument that competes with Napoli.
“The club needs to know that the player has to leave, not even to have problems in the future.
“There was the Atletico Madrid on the player, we talked about it for about a month, then the club’s offer was low compared to the request of Napoli, and Atletico turned to Trippier. The Spanish team fades, there are other situations at stake and we wait for them to mature.”
The former Tottenham player probably isn’t bothered in the slightest. He’s now on the biggest adventure of his career and one which could be a fulfilling experience both on and off the pitch.
