Arsenal have identified Kieran Trippier as a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin and have enquired about the availability of the full-back, according to The Sun.
The England international had a stellar campaign with Atletico Madrid last season, helping them clinch their first league title in seven years. He joined the Spanish giants after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.
As per The Sun, the Gunners have entered the race to sign the 30-year-old. They have contacted the Spanish outfit over the availability of Trippier. Atletico have slapped a £34million price tag on their star.
The report also states that Arsenal are yet to make an official bid. An offer in excess of £20million is required for the La Liga champions to even consider a move for the right-back as his contract does not expire for two more years.
Manchester United were the first team to join the pursuit for Trippier. The red Devils have been in talks with the player’s representatives since the start of the transfer window. However, they have not been able to agree on a transfer fee with Atletico which has led to a stall in their plans to land him.
Arsenal want to sign a new right-back with Hector Bellerin set to leave and the former Tottenham man is now on top of the list.
Arsenal fever View:
It was pretty evident from last season that Arsenal’s right-back position is a spot that needed immediate addressing. While Callum Chambers has done a decent job to fill in, in the long run, he is not the right man for the job, especially if the club are aiming to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League.
Bellerin has been a fantastic servant to the club but in recent years he has been a shadow of his former self. This window presents a perfect opportunity to cash in on the Spaniard.
Trippier will be an upgrade to the current options at disposal for the Gunners but the Englishman has already entered his 30s. The transfer fee demanded by Atletico is an awful lot of money for a player his age. Arsenal in the past have made the mistake of signing aging players on lucrative contracts only to regret it later.
The stakes are high this season. So this is one of the most significant transfer windows in the clubs’ recent history. Signing a 30-year-old for £34million is a huge gamble that may or may not pay off. Perhaps a younger player for the same price range would be a more sensible signing.
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