James Trafford of Burnley gestures during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Blackburn Rovers FC at Turf Moor on August 31, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)placeholder image
James Trafford of Burnley gestures during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Blackburn Rovers FC at Turf Moor on August 31, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United retain a strong interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
Trafford was set to sign for Newcastle last summer but a deal was pulled when Nottingham Forest demanded Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR swindle that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.
The 22-year-old stayed at Burnley and played a starring role in their immediate promotion back to the Premier League, keeping a record 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals. The Magpies have recently reignited talks over Trafford, whose value has increased to around £40million.
Burnley agree deal for ‘long-term’ James Trafford replacement
As it stands, a deal is not close with other positions such as centre-back and right forward viewed as a bigger priority. However, an agreement later down the line cannot be ruled out.
And news coming out of Turf Moor will interest Newcastle. As per Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Scott Parker’s side have all-but signed Karlsruher SC goalkeeper Max Weiss. A £4.2m deal has been agreed for the 21-year-old, who has penned a four-year contract.
The Clarets have recruited Weiss as a potential long-term replacement to Trafford but in the short-term will act as back-up to the England man.
Plettenberg wrote on X: “EXCL | Max Weiß to Burnley is considered a done deal! A full agreement has been reached between Burnley and Karlsruher. Transfer fee: €5 million all-in. Medical scheduled for Monday. Contract until 2029.
“Burnley believe the talented 21-year-old goalkeeper has the potential to become their long-term number one.”
James Trafford still keen on Newcastle United move
Trafford is likely to remain keen on a move to St James’ Park after publicly admitting he wanted the move last summer.
“In the summer I think people knew I wanted to move,” Trafford told Fozcast. “The club that I was close to going, it was a good fit for me. It was brilliant for me and I really believed in it.
“I wanted to move, not just because I didn’t want to play in the Championship, I had no shame playing in the Championship. I have no ego to think I’m better than the Championship. You only prove something by performing and showing people. You can say whatever you want but unless you perform.
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“It was just when an opportunity and a situation you think suits you can happen, you should take it and you should try and go for it, so I wanted to move. It was close but it didn’t end up happening.
“The manager was brilliant throughout pre-season. I wasn’t the best, I was moody because I’m young and I wanted to move, but in the moment I still worked extremely hard.
“I knew the longer it went on, the reality became I would be playing the first game of the season and I wanted to play. I told the manager I’m available if he wanted to select me. If not, I’ll sit on the bench, but I’m available. He played me the first game and that was it.”
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