Eddie Howe has handed Paul Mitchell his Newcastle United wishlist ahead of the January transfer window.
The plan is in place for what looks set to be an important month for the Toon boss. Eddie Howe wants a winger, striker and goalkeeper to bolster his options for the rest of the season and beyond with names already linked.
Newcastle want James Trafford who has had a fantastic season for Burnley so far. The 22-year-old has conceded just nine goals in the Championship as the Clarets sit three points off the top of the league.
It looked like Trafford was signing for Newcastle in the summer but the move broke down due to the Magpies’ ongoing battle with PSR. He has since taken the consistent first-team appearances into his stride after a shaky start to his time at Burnley when they were in the Premier League.
A move for Trafford looks set to be revisited in January but recent words from Burnley head coach Scott Parker may have stuck a dagger into the side of Newcastle’s plans.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield on February 10, 2024 in Liverpool,...
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Scott Parker wants James Trafford to stay at Burnley
Former Newcastle man Scott Parker became Clarets manager at the beginning of the season and is enjoying a good run of form having lost just one of their last 10 Championship games.
Trafford is wanted by Tottenham who are suffering their own injury problems but Parker wants Trafford’s immediate future to be with him.
“I’ve said it before, Traffs had a tough time last year but this is the best place for him to be,” Parker told Burnley Express.
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“You’re seeing every bit of a young keeper in development who needs games and needs experience. He’s having a very, very good season and he’s learning as he goes along, which is a huge positive for him.”
Parker’s words could be seen as a big blow for Newcastle’s transfer plans with Mitchell now having to consider what other options are out there. Trafford wants a move to Tyneside and with Nick Pope injured Newcastle’s first-team squad still has depth between the sticks but a lack of long-lasting quality in there.
Newcastle have a goalkeeper dilemma
After Pope’s injury, Martin Dubravka has come into the side and kept consecutive Premier League clean sheets albeit with a goal conceded in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win against Brentford.
Dubravka could leave Newcastle in January which would be disastrous as there is no definitive date for Pope’s return after suffering a knee ligament injury.
The signing of Trafford is important for Newcastle as the 22-year-old can develop to challenge Pope for a starting spot and eventually replace him.
Pope had a major injury setback last season and this new injury shows that despite Dubravka’s good form there needs to be a solid option to come in when needed.
Newcastle also have keepers Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie at their disposal but none of them has made a Premier League appearance this season.
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