Newcastle close in on 'no.1 target' with fee & personal terms likely to be agreed - The Telegraph

The Telegraph have released a hugely promising update on Eddie Howe's pursuit of Kieran Trippier.

Mike McGrath reports that the NUFC boss has identified the England international as his 'number one target' ahead of the January transfer window, with the Saudi-backed consortium set to 'push ahead' with their attempts to sign him - despite our precarious position in the Premier League table.

He writes that there is now an 'expectation' that a fee will be agreed between Newcastle and Atletico Madrid for the 31-year-old, with personal terms also expected to be 'straightforward' for the former Spurs right-back.

Howe brought Trippier to Burnley several years ago - giving him one of his first big breaks in English football - and the report states that his experience, quality on the ball and expertise from set pieces is valued by the new NUFC boss.

Here's a snippet from McGrath's latest transfer notebook piece for The Telegraph:

Newcastle United have remained in the relegation zone following the club’s Saudi Arabian takeover but they are pushing ahead with attempts to land England full-back Kieran Trippier in January. 

Trippier is Eddie Howe’s No 1 target for next month and there is an expectation of the personal terms of a deal being straightforward when a fee is agreed with Atletico Madrid. 

The 31-year-old, who played for Howe at Burnley, is seen as a player who can add an attacking dimension from wing-back and will be dangerous with set-pieces. 

'When a fee is agreed'....sounds promising, doesn't it.

This comes barely 24 hours after reliable Twitter account 'Football Insights' stated that Trippier's move to Tyneside was almost a done deal, claiming it would come out in the press in the coming days.

The Telegraph aren't suddenly saying it's imminent, but if this update is anything to go by, it seems we're confident of getting our man next month - and what a quality signing he would be!