Gabriel Agbonlahor says Kieran Trippier should not be blamed for moving to Newcastle United for the money and admitted he would do the same.
The Atletico Madrid right-back is set to swap LaLiga title holders and Champions League football for a relegation battle in the Premier League as he edges ever closer to becoming the club’s first signing under their new ownership.
Trippier is expected to be announced as a Newcastle player shortlyGetty
talkSPORT understands that the former Tottenham player will cost the Toon Army £12million
The 31-year-old will become the Newcastle’s highest ever paid player in history and despite joining the second worst team in the league, Agbonlahor told talkSPORT he would do the same if the money was that good.
“He’s going to top up that retirement fund,” the former Aston Villa striker told talkSPORT.
“Of course he is, he’s not going to be there at his peak when Newcastle will be challenging for European places, he’s gone there for the money and I’ve got no problem with it, I’d do exactly the same if I was him.
The defender left England’s top flight in 2019 when he made the switch from North London to Madrid for £20 millionGETTY
“But any fan, any pundit out there who believes that he’s gone there because he wants to play for Newcastle United need to give their head a wobble.
“He’s leaving Champions League football in February when it starts back, he’s leaving a team that he won the La Liga with last season, like come on he’s going there for the money.
“Credit to him, happy days.”
Jordan added to Agbonlahor’s comments by insisting that Trippier is only joining Eddie Howe’s side for the money.
“For Trippier, he’s going there for one reason and one reason only because the economic package suits him in this stage of his career.
Even though he will be on a high salary, Newcastle will hope that Trippier’s experience and quality will help them avoid relegation
“Everyone’s saying it (that he’s going for money), we’ll do a straw poll and you’ll be the one (Trevor Sinclair) saying ‘it’s not for money, he’s going to Newcastle for the glory’.
“I do think they’ll get it out of it (the relegation zone), but he’s going for money.”
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