Newcastle United transfer talk as defender confirms 'meeting' with former Eddie Howe scout

The 33-year-old has been granted extra time off after being part of the England squad that lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain just three weeks ago.

Trippier has been linked with a move to the Middle East having entered the final year of his contract. The right-back was spotted checking into a flight to Dubai at Newcastle Airport on Thursday afternoon, sparking rumours of a possible exit.

That was quickly played down with Trippier understood to be heading to the destination for a holiday. Following Saturday’s 2-0 win at Hull City, head coach Eddie Howe confirmed Trippier and Three Lions teammate Anthony Gordon wouldn’t be linking up with the squad for next week’s tour of Tokyo due to being rested.

However, Trippier himself has caused a frenzy on social media. Uploading to Instagram on Saturday night, the Bury-born player posed for a photo with Al-Ettifaq head of scouting Tom Spring at the Nobu Atlantis restaurant with the caption “good meeting”.

Spring has been at Al-Ettifaq with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard since January having previously worked at AFC Bournemouth for six years as first-team recruitment and analyst scout when Howe was there.

However, journalist Ben Jacobs has cast doubt over Trippier joining Gerrard’s side. He posted on X: “Nothing in rumours of Kieran Trippier joining Stephen Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq. Not a player on their radar or within their budget.”

The Magpies rejected two advances from Bayern Munich in January with Trippier reaffirming his commitment to Newcastle in the month after. Since then howeber, links to Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged. Trippier turns 34 in September and as it stands, is unlikely to be handed a new contract.