Newcastle United could still offload £120,000-a-week ‘game-changer’ by next Friday

Besiktas remain keen on Kieran Trippier and the player is “waiting” for an official approach, according to reports.

Speculation over the 33-year-old’s future dominated much of the summer transfer discussion on Tyneside. Trippier was away with England at Euro 2024 but various sources claimed a switch to Saudi Arabia was on the cards.

Trips to the Middle East also fuelled the rumours but NewcastleWorld was given no confirmation that they were transfer-related. The Athletic also reported last month that Everton were keen to strike a loan deal - with Trippier having close ties to Toffees boss Sean Dyche.

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Eddie Howe confirmed before the August 30 deadline that he wanted to keep Trippier - the game-changing maiden signing of the Saudi-backed era - amid reported interest. He said: “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.”

But his team selection in the opening four games of the campaign have been telling. Tino Livramento has started all three Premier League fixtures and was one of Newcastle’s best players in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Trippier’s name was only on the team sheet for the Carabao Cup triumph against Nottingham Forest. Fresh claims from Turkey now suggest the right-back is “waiting for news” from Besiktas.

The Super Lig deadline is not until next Friday (September 13), giving Newcastle another week of potentially unsettling speculation. Trippier is set to train with Howe’s squad during the international break after retiring from England duty following Euro 2024.