Kieran Trippier: Tottenham should eye reunion if relegated as Newcastle United exit announced

Kieran Trippier will be leaving Newcastle United as a free agent this summer, and Tottenham Hotspur should look to reunite with him if they are relegated to the Championship.

Now 35, Trippier has played 34 times for Newcastle in all competitions this season, showing that he’s still got plenty left to offer as he enters the twilight of his career.

Back in the summer of 2015, however, the right-back was making what was then the biggest transfer of his career, as he left Burnley to sign for Tottenham.

Arriving for a reported fee of just £3.5million, the then-24-year-old went on to play over 110 times for Spurs, and was part of the team that made it to the Champions League final in the 2018-19 season.

He left Tottenham on a permanent transfer for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, and remained there until January 2022 when he signed for Newcastle.

What have Newcastle and Kieran Trippier said about his exit?

A key part of one of Tottenham’s most successful eras in the Premier League, Trippier was key to helping Spurs record a fourth, two thirds and a second-placed finishes during his four years in N17.

Undoubtedly one of the best attacking right-backs the English top flight has seen over the course of his spells with Spurs and Newcastle respectively, the veteran defender remains a well-loved figure among the Lilywhites faithful.

However, with the emergence of Tino Livramento, Newcastle now feel ready to usher in a new era at the right-back position on Tyneside, and that will mean Trippier is moved on from this summer.

As confirmed across their media channels on Saturday, Trippier will become a free agent at the end of the season, bringing to an end a brilliant four-and-a-half years at St James’ Park.

Writing via their official X account, Newcastle said: “Thank you, Tripps. After four-and-a-half years of incredible service to Newcastle United, we can confirm that Kieran Trippier will leave the club this summer when his contract expires.

“Kieran arrived in January 2022 with the club in the relegation zone and played a crucial role as he went on to lift the club’s first domestic trophy in 70 years.”

Meanwhile, Trippier himself is quoted as saying in the replies to that post: “The time has come to leave this amazing club after four-and-a-half years.

“This is where I’ve felt most at home. It’s emotional, and I’m really going to miss it.

“I want to say a massive thank you to the supporters for all the support through the good and the bad times. You’ve always supported me, always stood by me.”

Tottenham must explore Trippier free transfer if relegated

As of right now, it’s unclear whether Trippier intends to continue playing or not, but if he does, then Tottenham have to get on the phone to him if they end up being relegated to the Championship.

He’s probably unlikely to get another Premier League move at this stage, and given his age, he may also not have much interest in heading abroad, and besides, he’s already done that with Atletico.

But, given all the exits that are sure to happen if Spurs go down this season, bringing in someone like Trippier who knows the Club, the fans love, and with his vast experience and leadership, would surely be a no-brainer for Tottenham.

Spurs’ team in the Championship would likely be filled with academy talents and built around the core of remaining first-team youngsters, but wouldn’t it be fabulous to see their promotion push captained by Tripps? It just looks right.

Even if Tottenham stay up mind, it’s probably not the worst idea in the world to bring him in for a season, especially if a Pedro Porro or Djed Spence was to leave this summer.

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