Newcastle United icon ‘who wants game time’ faces uncertain future as Turkish trio show interest

Kieran Trippier’s long-term Newcastle United future remains the subject of great debate due to interest from a number of top clubs from the Turkish Super Liga.

The 33-year-old is now in the final year of his current contract at St James Park and is yet to make a start in the Premier league this season, with Tino Livramento currently being the preferred starter at right-back.

As it stands ahead of the international break, Trippier’s only start has come in the Carabao Cup win against Nottingham Forest. The veteran defender, who recently retired from international football, has also recently been stripped of the club captaincy in favour of central midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

Trippier was heavily linked with a late move to Everton in August but a defiant Eddie Howe told reporters that the former England international is still a major part of his plans moving forward. He also reiterated that notion after the club’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham at the weekend when he was quizzed about the defender’s future.

Speaking to reporters, he explained: “Absolutely, I want Kieran here.  That hasn’t changed, and that won’t change. I woke up to the stories via a few messages, as you do, but that was the first I’d heard of it.”  

On possible departures, he added “Maybe the players who have been linked with a move, like Jamal Lewis, could possibly leave.  But we certainly hope that no one else does.”

Trippier has been an instrumental part of Newcastle United’s resurgence under Howe and with a total of 94 appearances, four goals and 21 assists, he has been one of the club’s top performing players in recent seasons.

However, his performances at the end of last season came under the spotlight amid interest from club’s in Saudi Arabia in January and now Sky Sports News understands that a trio of Turkish club’s have show interest in the defender, who is reportedly unsettled over playing time.

Transfer guru Rob Dorsett posted on X: “Excl: Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Eyupsor have all made contact with #nufc about taking Kieran Trippier on loan with option to buy. Had just 1 sub app in first 3 games of PL season. Trippier wants game time but won’t agitate for a move. Still has great relationship with Eddie Howe.”

The top-flight Saudi transfer window remains open until Monday 2 September, but clubs in Turkey still have more than two weeks to conclude their deals, with the window not closing until Wednesday 18 September.

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly a huge admirer of Trippier and has already signed one former Newcastle United player in Allan Saint-Maximin on loan earlier in the summer.