Newcastle United appear to be stepping up their interest in a number of leading targets, albeit with little success so far.
Discussions are thought to be taking place over potential deals for Anthony Elanga and Joao Pedro in attack, but two defensive targets are also on the agenda.
Burnley’s James Trafford is wanted in goal as a young, ball-playing option to battle it out with Nick Pope, while Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is a long-term centre-back target.
It’s believed Trafford remains keen on a move to Tyneside and Guehi could be available at a lower fee now he’s entering the final 12 months of his deal, although Newcastle could be facing Premier League competition to sign both.
[The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/06/11/newcastle-transfer-news-james-trafford-burnley/) report that Tottenham have joined Newcastle in the mix for Guehi’s signature, despite suggestions the 24-year-old had turned down a move to North London.
Not only that, Luke Edwards claims that the defender could keep his options open until later in the summer, with the option of staying at Palace and leaving on a lucrative free transfer in 2026 another possibility that will not help Newcastle’s hopes of striking a quick deal.
As for Trafford, The Telegraph state that Chelsea could enter the bidding as admirers of the Burnley goalkeeper.
Enzo Maresca’s free-spending Blues had been expected to sign AC Milan’s Mike Maignan before the Club World Cup, but that move is now ‘OFF’ in the words of Fabrizio Romano, potentially opening the door for them to target Trafford.
Like Newcastle, both Spurs and Chelsea would be able to offer Champions League football. A move north for Trafford would bring him closer to his family in Carlisle, where he was born, while Tottenham would allow Guehi to remain in London.