As per Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich have submitted an improved offer to Newcastle United for 33-year-old full-back Kieran Trippier.
Club management from both sides have been in renewed talks as the Bavarian giants push for a swift conclusion.
Trippier has already provided verbal agreement to the transfer and it is now just about resolving the transfer fee.
Newcastle United are reported to be holding out for over £12 million and coaching staff are reluctant to release Trippier this month with limited time to find a suitable replacement.
Having won only once in their last six games, a local derby in the FA Cup against Sunderland, Eddie Howe’s side have slipped to tenth in the Premier League.
Without Trippier at right-back, Newcastle will see their European dreams dashed as quickly as they had begun.
However, Bayern do not want to spend big on the England international as they are still pursuing 26-year-old Nordi Mukiele on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
The French side want to include an an obligation to buy Mukiele at the conclusion of the loan.
As such, Bayern have turned their attentions on Trippier, who has seven assists in 19 Premier League matches for Newcastle this season but has courted more headlines in recent weeks for his behaviour off the pitch.
However, Bayern are eager to bring in defensive reinforcements after their unlikely defeat to Bremen on Sunday left the Bavarians seven points behind Bundesliga leaders, Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
It is understood that the latest bid is around €15 million and close to meeting Newcastle’s valuation but this has been swiftly rejected, according to Craig Hope.
With eight games between now and March 1st, including a Champions League tie away to Lazio, Bayern are understandably concerned about their defensive frailties.
Trippier may solve a few headaches but it is unlikely he will come cheap.
GGFN | Oscar O’Mara
