Atletico keen on Arsenal duo in Trippier part-exchange

Arsenal are still keen on Kieran Trippier, but need Atletico Madrid to lower their asking price or accept players in part-exchange.

Trippier is reportedly keen on a return to England with Manchester United also heavily linked with his signature.

But United and Arsenal are said to have been put off by the 30-year-old’s £34million release clause.

Atletico are reportedly willing to accept a part-exchange deal, but only if it includes one of Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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The England international is now in the final year of his deal with the Spanish champions, and Arsenal are hoping Diego Simeone’s side will be open to negotiations, particularly with Trippier failing to make the starting lineup in the opening two La Liga fixtures of the season.

But Arsenal in particular may struggle to sign anyone from Atletico, given their last gasp signing of Thomas Partey for £45million, which is said to have irked the La Liga side.

Arteta is reportedly desperate to sign a new right-back before the end of the transfer window next week.

Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are both looking to leave and Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares failed to impress in the opening two games of the season.

Arsenal have already spent around £130million on new players this summer and are said to not have the funds to pay Trippier’s full release clause.

Arteta is unlikely to sanction a move which would see Lacazette or Aubameyand moving in the opposite direction given they don’t have a replacement striker lined up.

Arteta is under severe pressure to improve Arsenal’s results, with Antonio Conte linked with replacing him at the Emirates.

But the Arsenal boss chose to ignore the boos after defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

He said: “I must thank the fans, even when things were looking difficult they tried to give the players a boost.

“I see a lot of positives with the crowd and the team today.

“At the end I didn’t see any bad reaction with any of the players. But that is my opinion.

“Feeling sorry for yourself does not help.

“You have to face the challenge, face the criticism – because it will come.”