KIERAN TRIPPIER could be heading to Saudi Arabia.
The Newcastle full-back, who wants to leave the North East, failed to get a Premier League move before the transfer window shut on Friday.
But a number of Saudi Arabian clubs are interested in Trippier with their window not shutting until October 6.
There is also interest in Turkey where clubs can sign players until September 13.
Toon boss Eddie Howe has repeatedly stressed he wants Trippier to stay.
The 33-year-old has now retired from international football although he knew that he was likely to miss out on making Lee Carsley’s first England squad.
Had he still been an England player, a move to the Middle East would have threatened his place but now he is free to move.
Newcastle struggled to sign players over the summer.
Crystal Palace were able to cling on to centre-back Marc Guehi despite strong interest from Toon in a frustrating window.
Ahead of deadline day, Howe admitted it had been a slog.
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“It’s been the most difficult window I’ve experienced.
“The June part of the window was incredibly difficult and now this part hasn’t been exactly easy either.
“It’s always going to be difficult because you’re competing for a very small pool of players and the competition is high from other clubs.”
Newcastle are taking on Tottenham this afternoon with Tino Livaramento at right-back.
Trippier is among the substitutes.
NEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.
And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.
Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.
Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.
“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.
“I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.
“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?’
“He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”
