BAYERN MUNICH will start talks with Newcastle today in a bid to lure away Kieran Trippier.
The Magpies are desperate to keep the England star, 33, and insist they will reject any advances for a loan deal.
But the German giants want a right-back and are keen to reunite Trippier with ex-Spurs team-mates Harry Kane and Eric Dier.
Toon CEO Darren Eales said last week every player has a price as they navigate FFP rules so a big cash offer could make it happen.
The former Atalanta chief said: “On any player, at any time, it depends on circumstances.
“It’s difficult to hypothesise but, if we’re offered £1bn for one of those players, then no one could argue against that making sense.
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“Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club.
“It’s difficult to say specifically on certain players.
“But I can say that, if we’re going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players.
“Whether that is because of the contract length of the player in question, the offer is too good to refuse, you need to reload in certain areas.
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“But all of this could make sense to trade that player.
“It is counter-intuitive and part of the inherent system of PSR that there is an incentive to trade your players if you want to re-invest, by the nature of the boundaries.”
Bayern could try to sweeten any potential deal for Trippier by using the versatile Joshua Kimmich as a makeweight.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe is understood to be keen on strengthening his midfield this month and is said to be a big admirer of Kimmich.
Germany international Kimmich can also play at right-back, meaning he could temporarily fill the void left by Trippier.
Bayern are currently in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a loan for right-back Nordi Mukiele but boss Thomas Tuchel also likes Trippier.
It would be a huge blow for an out-of-form Toon side who are five points off the top six in the Prem.
Trippier starred for the Geordies after signing from Atletico Madrid in 2022 but his form dipped badly this winter.
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His deal expires next year but boss Eddie Howe wants to keep him.
Tino Livramento’s form suggests he can be the long-term replacement, with Emil Krafth another reliable right-back for the Magpies.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk