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Newcastle United appear to be edging closer to secure their first major summer signing.
Newcastle United have agreed personal terms with James Trafford, with a deal now subject to agreeing a fee with Burnley.
Trafford was initially set to sign last summer but a deal was pulled when Newcastle agreed to take Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR-swindle that saw Elliot Anderson join Nottingham Forest.
Having also already agreed to sign John Ruddy following his release from Birmingham City, Eddie Howe entered the 2024-25 campaign with five senior goalkeepers in his squad.
Trafford stayed at Burnley and played a key role in their immediate promotion back to the Premier League, keeping a record 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals. His price tag has almost doubled with the Clarets valuing him closer to £40million.
Newcastle hope to reach a compromise with Trafford again keen on making the move.
James Trafford agrees personal terms with Newcastle United
As per Fabrizio Romano, personal terms with the 22-year-old have already been agreed. While no transfer fee has been agreed yet, there is an “expectation” that will follow in the “next days”.
James Trafford has fully agreed personal terms with Newcastle and talks between clubs keep advancing,” Romano wrote on X. “No agreement yet on fee with Burnley but expectation remains to get it done in the next days. #NUFC confident as reported.
If a deal is finalised, Trafford will rival Nick Pope for the number one spot. Some outlets have claimed Trafford’s arrival could spell the end of Pope’s time on Tyneside, but NewcastleWorld understands the latter firmly remains part of Eddie Howe’s plans.
James Trafford opens up on failed Newcastle United move
Trafford joined Burnley from Manchester City for £19m in the summer of 2023. He was thrown straight into Premier League action but endured a difficult debut campaign.
The former Bolton Wanderers loanee was dropped from the team for the final 10 games of the season as the Clarets were relegated to the Championship. Despite his struggles, Newcastle came calling and Trafford wanted the move.
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“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.
“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.”
And that was perhaps a blessing in disguise for Trafford, who was able to rebuild his confidence and reputation in a promotion-winning side.
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