One thing is certain this year, and that's that Newcastle United are hedging their bets with every move they make in the transfer market after being made to look foolish by Crystal Palace last year.
The Magpies spent weeks in talks with Crystal Palace over a deal for Marc Guehi, only for the goalposts to be moved every time they thought they were getting close to an agreement. Ultimately, the move failed, and Newcastle were left with no time to do anything about it.
This summer, Newcastle have a Plan B, C, D and E for every player they have in their sights, no matter how confident they are of getting a deal done.
Newcastle will have felt pretty confident about bringing in James Trafford this summer, given how close things came last year and the player's eagerness to join, but Burnley have been emboldened by their return to the Premier League and the fact that Trafford was such a big part of that.
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Lucas Chevalier is keen on a move to the Premier League
It may have taken a mere £20 million to bring Trafford to Tyneside last summer, but Burnley want double that now, with Newcastle not prepared to go that high.
Meanwhile, The Athletic are reporting that the Magpies still retain an interest in Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who they've been keeping an eye on for a while.
According to Get Football News France, the 23-year-old is also being monitored by Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Manchester United, so he's clearly doing something right.
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Chevalier has even hinted that he'd welcome a move to the Premier League while speaking at the UNFP Awards last month.
“The Premier League? It is the most attractive league. When you see Tottenham and Manchester United, who are struggling with crazy players [in their squads]… I have two years left on my contract, and you know the president (Olivier Létang) (laughs). I haven’t had any contacts, but it makes you think.”
He could be one to watch if the bottom falls out of the James Trafford deal, although we're pretty confident we'll make that one work somehow.