In what feels like a momentous occasion, we have our first English media source linking Kieran Trippier with a transfer to Napoli this summer. The Independent is reporting today that Napoli is “confident” in their ability to purchase Tottenham Hotspur’s starting right back after the Champions League final in June, and are hoping to complete a deal for around £25m.
This article says that it’s Trips that wants to move abroad for a new challenge, but that Spurs are willing to let him go as one of the first casualties of a summer transfer window shakeup. It certainly seems like a good time to let him go — he turns 28 next year, and £25m would be a pretty tidy profit for a player whom Spurs purchased from Burnley for £3m in 2015.
Interestingly, the Independent also says that Trippier was keen on a move to Manchester United last summer with Ed Woodward ready to spend big to bring him in after impressing for England at the World Cup. Certainly Spurs could’ve gotten more money for him a year ago, but it must be said that despite a relatively disappointing season Trippier still played a pretty important part in Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics this year.
It’s one thing to be in Italian sports papers, but it’s something else when the non-redtop English media starts reporting on it. And of course, there’s also the recent links with Atletico Madrid, which also seem plausible, if not likely. If I had to guess, I’d say that Trippier is likely on his way out the door, if Daniel Levy can get a good enough fee for his services. But to where, and for how much, we’ll find out in June.