SHOCK JANUARY BOMBSHELL: Ross Wilson’s £120K/Wk Newcastle Megastar Targeted by French Giants – One DEVASTATING Decision Could RIP the Toon Apart FOREVER!

With the January transfer window on the horizon, discussions are ramping up over potential incomings — but Newcastle United must also make key decisions about current players and their futures.

One of the main talking points surrounds Kieran Trippier, whose contract expires next summer.

Unless a new deal is agreed, January represents the club’s final chance to secure a transfer fee for the 35-year-old right-back.

Foreign clubs can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him from January, and reports in France suggest that Ligue 1 side AS Monaco are interested in securing his signature.

Eddie Howe, unsurprisingly, is eager to keep hold of the player who became his first signing as Newcastle manager and arguably sparked the club’s transformation.

Trippier’s arrival helped attract other top talents — such as Bruno Guimaraes — to Tyneside, setting the foundation for Newcastle’s rise.

This season, he has remained a key figure, particularly with Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento sidelined. However, with both younger full-backs nearing fitness, his role may soon diminish.

According to The Chronicle, while Howe values Trippier’s experience and leadership, sporting director Ross Wilson might see the situation differently.

Trippier currently earns £120,000 per week — a salary that could be deemed excessive for a player potentially moving into a rotation role.

The veteran defender, now in the twilight of his career, will be aware that his current wage level is unsustainable in the long term.

Whether he would accept a pay reduction may depend on offers from elsewhere — with Monaco and several Saudi Arabian clubs believed to be monitoring the situation.

Still, Trippier’s value extends beyond his on-field contributions. His professionalism, leadership, and influence within the dressing room have been instrumental in shaping the culture under Howe.

Many within the club — and among the fans — would like to see him stay beyond his playing days, perhaps in a coaching or mentoring capacity.

Ideally, Newcastle will find a way to retain his influence at St James’ Park — either through a short-term extension or a transition into a non-playing role — ensuring that Trippier’s legacy continues to shape the club even after his playing career winds down.