EDDIE HOWE does not want to lose Kieran Trippier this month, despite Galatasaray lining up a formal offer for the former England international.

Galatasaray are understood to be interested in signing Trippier ahead of tomorrow night’s transfer deadline, and are willing to consider both an initial loan move or an immediate permanent deal for the right-back, who has entered the final 18 months of his current contract on Tyneside.

The Turkish club are yet to hold talks with the Newcastle hierarchy, but Turkish sources claim a formal approach is in the offing.

Newcastle officials are aware of the suggested interest, but Howe does not want to lose Trippier this month.

Lloyd Kelly is set to complete a move to Juventus ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, with the Italian club having agreed to an initial loan deal with an obligation to complete a permanent transfer worth around £15m in the summer provided certain conditions are met.

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Howe is willing to let Kelly leave as Newcastle have a reasonable amount of cover in the centre-half position with Emil Krafth having completed his recovery from injury and Jamaal Lascelles also set to return to full fitness before the end of the season.

However, the situation with Trippier is different as the 34-year-old is currently the only natural cover for first-choice right-back Tino Livramento.

Trippier came off the bench to replace Livramento in the second half of Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham yesterday, and could return to the starting line-up for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal if Howe decides to make defensive changes.