'I had to' - Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier has already hinted at Bayern Munich move stance

Bayern Munich are showing interest in Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier - but the player himself has already hinted at why a move to Germany is unlikely.

The Bundesliga giants are looking to sign a right-back during the January transfer window with Noussair Mazraoui's call-up to Morocco's African Cup of Nations squad forcing former RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer to play as emergency cover.

Bayern have already completed one deal with a Premier League club this month after Trippier's former Tottenham Hotspur and England teammate Eric Dier joined close friend Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena.

Trippier is one option under consideration by Thomas Tuchel. NewcastleWorld understands a tentative enquiry has been been submitted but Newcastle - perhaps obviously - want to keep the 33-year-old, who has been a transformative signing since joining from Atletico Madrid two years ago.

And based on Trippier's past comments explaining why he needed to leave Spain and return to England, there should, in theory, be minimal concern over the possibility of him being tempted by a move across Europe again. “I have no regrets in every decision I make. This was the perfect decision for me [joining Newcastle]," he told the High Performance Podcast last year.

"There were loads of comments when I first signed saying I came for money or whatever I may be. What people don’t realise, I came here on less money than when I was at Atletico Madrid. I could’ve signed a new three-year contract at Madrid.

“I had to come back to England for my family, my children. We were going through a difficult moment. I’ve got my reasons for coming back.

“I wanted to come back up north, there was Newcastle, I had good chats with the manager and just thought, 'why not?' I knew they were 19th in the league but I have no regrets even though I could have been playing in the Championship.

"There was no relegation clause. I took less money. I took a gamble but again, I have no regrets."

Trippier, who turns 34 in September, is in the final 18 months of his current deal at Newcastle and was recently named as the North East Football Writers Player of the Year after helping the Magpies end their 20-year absence from the Champions League and reach their first major cup final since 1999. He's made 81 appearances in total.