Atletico Madrid are determined to keep hold of Kieran Trippier - but have drawn up a two-man transfer shortlist should Manchester United sign him
The England international has been the source of constant speculation after it emerged he was a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The United boss is keen to add extra depth at right-back behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as he did on the opposite flank in the summer window of last year.
Alex Telles arrived from FC Porto in 2020, helping spark the best form of Luke Shaw’s career in the process.
Despite Wan-Bissaka’s brilliant defensive work, there is a feeling that his lack of potency going forward is something that could be improved upon.
Few are better in that regard than Trippier, who proved his creative ability when creating Shaw’s goal in the opening moments of the Euro 2020 final.
Reports have suggested that United have already lodged one bid for the 30-year-old, an offer which was roundly rejected by Atleti bosses.
They are said to be holding out for £30million for Trippier - some £15m more than United had hoped to snag him for.
Trippier is reportedly open to returning to the Premier League and there has been speculation he is house hunting in England ahead of a potential move .
But according to AS, Diego Simeone has made it clear that the player is not for sale as he looks to keep together the squad which won LaLiga last term.
Simeone sees Trippier as a fundamental part of his plan moving forward and the only way that they would even consider selling would be if he puts in a formal transfer request.
Even in that scenario, the report adds that Atleti would only part with the former Tottenham star when a suitable offer is lodged.
Despite their insistence that Trippier will stay in the Spanish capital, AS do claim that there is a contingency plan already being put into place.
Santiago Arias and Sime Vrsaljko are both internal candidates to fill the right-back berth, while Nelson Semedo and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are on their radar to bring in as replacements.
Semedo only signed for Wolves last summer, arriving from Barcelona in a club record deal in the region of £35m and looks set to be a vital part of Bruno Lage’s Molineux setup next season.
Di Lorenzo meanwhile has been linked with a transfer away, with United touted as a potential destination.
The player’s agent has hinted that every player at Napoli is available at the right place, although at this point, no offer has yet been made.
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