Kieran Trippier reaches verbal agreement with Bayern Munich - Sky Germany

Some huge claims have emerged on Saturday afternoon from Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg and Fabrizio Romano regarding the future of Kieran Trippier.

Both are reporting that our vice-captain has now reached a 'verbal agreement' with Bayern Munich and is keen to join the Bundesliga giants immediately.

This does NOT mean an agreement has been reached between Newcastle and Bayern, despite 'contact' between the two clubs. However, it suggests the player himself is eager to join former Spurs teammates Harry Kane and Eric Dier in Germany, so the ball is in our court as talks continue.

It's believed Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund still prefers to sign PSG's Nordi Mukiele on loan, but Romano adds that talks are taking place over a permanent deal for Trippier, despite suggestions of a loan from BILD.

Losing a leader and key player - on and off the pitch - would be a huge blow, but if his sale eases FFP concerns and creates room for a big signing of our own, it might make *some* sense given Tino Livramento is a ready-made replacement.

https://twitter.com/Plettigoal/status/1748727204177985606