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Diego Simeone pays tribute to Kieran Trippier as the defender prepares to depart his Atletico Madrid side and seal a £12m move to Newcastle... admitting he is set to lose a 'very important footballer' in the January transfer window

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone admits he is set to lose a 'very important footballer' in Kieran Trippier ahead of the defender's proposed move to Newcastle.

Trippier, 31, has arrived in Tyneside to undergo a medical ahead of his lucrative switch to St James' Park.

Sportsmail understands Newcastle have secured an initial £12million deal plus £3million in add-ons for the England right-back, who is set to become the first signing of their new Saudi era.

Diego Simeone (right) has paid tribute to Kieran Trippier (left) ahead of his move to Newcastle

He has spent the last two-and-a-half years at Atletico since leaving Tottenham, making 83 appearances and winning the Spanish title last season.