Arsenal are reportedly still interested in signing Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier this summer.
The Gunners have been linked with the England right-back throughout the summer as Mikel Arteta and Edu aim to bolster their options at right-back. Current Gunners pair Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have been linked with departures, whilst Cedric Soares has so far failed to convince.
A deal is yet to be struck with the reigning La Liga champions regarding Trippier’s signature and with just a week left of the current transfer window, time appears to be running out for Arsenal to secure the defender.
A move is not set to become any easier in the final few days either if reports are to be believed.
As per The Sun, Arsenal are not willing to pay the £34million release clause that has been inserted into Trippier’s contract at the Wanda Metropolitano.
It is suggested that the Gunners would therefore be open to a part-exchange deal to lower the price that they would be paying for the former Tottenham man.
However, the only players that Atleti are currently interested in are Arsenal attacking pair Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The two have already been linked with moves away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, with Barcelona credited as the main interested party.
It is further suggested though that the Gunners do not currently have a replacement striker lined up so would be adverse to letting either of the duo leave, especially with fellow forward Eddie Nketiah also having an uncertain future in north London as he continues to be linked with a move to Crystal Palace.
That could therefore see a swoop for Trippier break down, with Arsenal’s original plan of a part-exchange simply not possible.
The England right-back still has two years left to run on his current deal at the Wanda Metropolitano but has only been afforded a couple of substitute appearances by Diego Simeone in the opening weeks of the season.
