Newcastle United considering offering £12m star to AC Milan this summer as part of squad shakeup

Newcastle United are weighing up the possibility of offering one of their most important players in recent years to AC Milan for a summer swap.

In January this year, AC Milan took Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker on loan for the remainder of the season, but the Italian outfit has not taken up the offer of making the move permanent, leaving a gap at right-back for the Serie A giants.

That has given Newcastle United a potential window to offer them the chance to sign 34-year-old star Kieran Trippier to fill the gap.

Walker and Trippier have been friendly rivals throughout their career, battling for the right-back spot at England for years with very little to choose between the two, so if Milan are in the market for a full-back who is ageing like fine wine, Trippier seems ideal. The Chronicle believes they may just get their wish.

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Kieran Trippier is arguably Newcastle's most important post-takeover signing

Kieran Trippier's future at Newcastle has been in doubt for a while. Since the star started having problems at home, his form dipped dramatically, and it seemed like the former England star just wanted to get away from the North East at any cost.

However, no move was forthcoming, and Trippier has since found himself back in the first team and performing at an exceptional level, giving fans pause for thought after suggesting it was time to let him go when he was underperforming.

Trippier has been arguably Newcastle's most important signing in recent years. He was the first big star to join the club post-takeover, and it's widely believed that his willingness to join paved the way for our other top stars to show belief in the project. He has been a leader on and off the pitch ever since, and his form at the back end of last season epitomised the phrase 'form is temporary, class is permanent'.

Trippier has a big decision to make on his future

With Trippier turning 35 in September and just a year remaining on his contract, this summer could be Newcastle's last chance to recoup any kind of fee for Trippier, and with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall in the squad and hopefully fit, Tripps' time on the pitch will be massively reduced next season.

It all depends on what Trippier plans to do, though. He's clearly still got plenty in the tank and may want to keep on playing at the top for another couple of years, and moving to Milan would afford him that opportunity, and it would put some distance between him and his problems at home.

On the other side, though, his experience and leadership could be vital for Newcastle next season as we return to the Champions League.

In all honesty, we'd be happy enough either way, but we'd be even happier if he does end up leaving, we leave the door open for him to return to the club as part of the coaching staff.