Kieran Trippier decision to impact three Newcastle United stars and summer transfer plans

Newcastle United are putting in the hard yards to secure incoming deals this summer but a lot of their business depends on which senior stars head in the opposite direction between now and September.

Kieran Trippier is one player who continues to be linked with a move away from St James' Park after attracting interest from Bayern Munich in January. While interest from the German club remains, it is Saudi Arabian sides leading the chase for his signature this time around.

Trippier's potential departure will be felt heavily by a dressing room that has grown accustomed to having the 33-year-old as a key member of the club's leadership group. The former Tottenham Hotspur star has proved his credentials both and off the pitch since his 2022 arrival, winning over supporters after only a few years on Tyneside.

A summer exit may well free up funds for exciting arrivals but it would also have a knock-on effect on a number of stars currently on the books at Newcastle, while impacting Eddie Howe's transfer plans for the coming months.

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Tino Livramento

Less than 12 months ago Newcastle fought hard to secure the signature of Southampton's Tino Livramento; the young star seen as an ideal long-term heir to Trippier at right-back.

That dynamic was clear from day one. Livramento was not coming in to replace Trippier in the short-term but instead would learn from the experienced full-back before eventually taking his place in the team.

"That was a big reason as to why I wanted to come here," said Livramento when asked about Trippier. "He's a great player, very experienced and everyone at the club rates him so highly and told me 'he'll help you a lot'. I'm really excited [to learn from him.]"

Fast forward to present day and there is now a real chance we will see Livramento lining up as Newcastle's first-choice right-back on the opening day against his former club Southampton. If Trippier does take the tough decision to leave, many would be more than comfortable seeing Livramento take his spot.

Harrison Ashby

Harrison Ashby is Newcastle United's forgotten man after a disappointing start to life in the north east. The right-back left West Ham United for a new challenge at the Magpies, to much fanfare, but the switch hasn't worked out to date.

Injuries have hampered his progress and meant his recent loan spell at Swansea City was very stop-start. The next few months are huge for Ashby on a personal level and will go a long way to deciding whether he has a future at Newcastle.

Howe has so far resisted temptation to give the 22-year-old a consistent run in the senior side but may be forced too should Trippier depart. Ashby will be back on Tyneside for pre-season and, like last summer, will be given a chance to prove his credentials.

Is this the season he gets a look in for Newcastle?

Callum Wilson

Callum Wilson may not share the same position as Trippier but he is another key member of Howe's dressing room - and another name linked with a January exit. That speculation has not gone away with his future also up in the air.

Wilson, 32, is another senior star who is seen as a dressing room leader. But if Trippier has an attractive offer on the table elsewhere, his former England co-star is more likely to jump ship if a trusted ally has decided to seek a fresh challenge.

The duo are key in the eyes of Howe, who is determined to keep both at the club. You feel, however, if one goes, the other will likely find it easier to also call time on his Newcastle stint.

Summer transfer plans

As mentioned, Howe really wants to keep Wilson at the club. Despite his injury troubles, you will be hard-pressed to find a more consistent striker at the top level. The Newcastle boss knows this - and also knows how much it will cost to replace Wilson's goals in the modern era of inflated price tags.

The same can said for Trippier. If the England international does leave, Howe may well be forced back into the market for a right-back, despite it currently not being a priority position the club seek to strengthen.

With ambitions to sign a goalkeeper, another central defender, a right-sided attacker and a centre-forward, the budget can only stretch so far. Replacing Trippier's quality AND experience will cost Newcastle a fair chunk of that budget.

If Howe feels as though he needs cover or competition for Livramento, and isn't ready to use Ashby regularly in the first-team, it may well add another position onto his shopping list this summer.