Transfer news live: Arsenal agree Merino deal; latest Premier League updates and more

Eddie Howe says Kieran Trippier “remains valued by all of us” at Newcastle United despite his desire to leave St James’ Park.

The 33-year-old was an unused substitute in the Premier League opener against Southampton and is now keen to explore new opportunities to play regularly for the first team.

Everton is one of the interested parties as Sean Dyche worked with him during his time at Burnley.

“The situation is as always,” Howe said on Friday ahead of the trip to Bournemouth this weekend.

“Tripps has been training really well this week. I’m surprised by a lot of the stories that have come out of it. He’s a valuable member of the team and his professionalism has been top notch.”

“He’s only had two weeks of training, hence the reason for not letting him start at the weekend, and Tino has had a really good pre-season. He is valued by all of us.”

Trippier left Atletico Madrid in January 2022 to become the first signing of new ownership of Newcastle and has since been instrumental in the club’s rise to prominence, which included qualification for the Champions League last season.

“He played a huge role in changing the narrative around the team,” said Howe. “When he came in we were in a very difficult position and he took a huge risk by leaving a great football club where he had had a successful time to a team that was battling relegation.”

“He really motivated the team. On the first day he gave a speech to the players and the attitude of the whole group changed because of his performances and quality.”

“The back four that played in the season in which we reached the Champions League was defensively watertight.”