One of the key features of Newcastle United’s remarkable start to the current campaign has been the form of England international, Kieran Trippier, with the right-back having swiftly cemented his place as a leading presence in the side since his January arrival.
The 32-year-old – who was snapped up on a £12m deal from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid earlier this year – has regularly taken on the captain’s armband so far this season as a marker of his importance to the side, helping to be a real driving force in the push towards Champions League qualification.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man has notably chipped in with one goal and three assists in 15 top-flight outings from his right-back berth this term, providing a real creative threat down the flanks as he ranks in the top 4% in Europe for progressive passes among those in his position.
The £100k-per-week asset has been an “absolute revelation” for the Magpies thus far, according to talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan, while club legend Alan Shearer only recently dubbed him a “gamechanger” for what he has brought to the club both on and off the pitch.
With manager Eddie Howe reaping the rewards of the defender’s capture, the 44-year-old could well repeat that transfer masterclass by landing another man from the Wanda Metropolitano in the mid-season window, with Portuguese sensation Joao Felix one name currently being mooted.
Journalist Jacque Talbot revealed late last week that the Tynesiders are “among the clubs interested” in the 23-year-old starlet, albeit with the player’s preferred destination said to be that of Manchester United.
If Howe and co can tempt the former Benfica man into making the switch to St James’ Park, however, it would no doubt be another notable coup as far as PIF are concerned, with the fleet-footed gem having showcased his class at the World Cup in recent weeks.
The 5 foot 11 winger scored once and registered two assists in his four outings in Qatar, notably producing a truly “classy” display in the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland, in the words of journalist Simon Collings, after having a hand in two goals for Fernando Santos’ side.
The youngster is simply a joy to watch when he’s in full flow – as he was against the Swiss – having developed that effortless knack for gliding up the pitch to help spark his side into gear, with that gift also illustrated by the fact that the 28-cap gem ranks in the top 13% for dribbles completed in Europe, as per FBref.
Free from the shackles of the defensive-minded Diego Simeone in the Spanish capital – where he has made just five La Liga starts this season – Felix has looked like a man reborn over the past few weeks, showcasing the type of form that earned him a move to Madrid in the first place after laying on 31 goal involvements in just 43 games in Lisbon.
With Newcastle believed to be prioritising a new attacking addition ahead of the January transfer window, turning to the young dynamo would certainly be a marquee deal for PIF, even if it could take as much as £86m to get a deal secured.
Having already benefitted from landing one talent from Atleti this year in the form of Trippier, Howe can now repeat that masterclass with the acquisition of Felix.