· 27 June 2025, 12:00
**If reports are to be believed, Newcastle United are just days away from making their first breakthrough in the summer transfer market with James Trafford expected to arrive from Burnley.**
Trafford and Newcastle have reportedly already hashed out terms, and all that remains is to agree on the fee with Burnley, although that's the tricky part of the deal.
Since the £20 million move of Trafford to Newcastle last summer, both parties have retained a desire to complete the deal making talks very easy to complete this summer, however, Trafford's form and Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League has added value to the keeper and Burnley want to make sure they're cashing in on that.
After keeping 29 clean sheets last season and gaining promotion with the Clarets, Newcastle were never going to get Trafford for the £20 million they offered last season, but while Burnley want £40 million, Newcastle have offered just £25 million.
John Ruddy could be about to leave Newcastle United
Newcastle are a tad overstocked on goalkeepers
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Despite being so far apart on his valuation, there's a confidence from both sides that the deal will get done; however, the [iPaper's Mark Douglas has said](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle-three-stage-summer-transfer-window-plan-3773633) that it may not be completed as swiftly as we've been led to believe.
Should the deal go through, Newcastle will find themselves with six goalkeepers in the squad, which is about three more than necessary if we're being honest.
Nick Pope has stated his desire to stay and fight for his place with James Trafford, one of the remaining five is considering his options as mentioned in Douglas's report.
John Ruddy could leave the club when his contract expires
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Newcastle have reportedly offered John Ruddy another contract after the veteran keeper arrived on a free last summer on a one-year deal. The 38-year-old ended up being Newcastle's third-choice keeper for much of the season, and his name was regularly seen on the teamsheet on the bench.
Despite the offer on the table, Ruddy hasn't agreed to anything yet, and now with the potential arrival of another 'keeper, it seems more likely that the former Birmingham City man will move on when his contract expires next week.
Norwich City, where Ruddy spent the bulk of his career, are said to be keen to take him back.
We never fully understood the idea of bringing John Ruddy in last year when we already had Mark Gillespie as a sentient training dummy and later brought in Odysseas Vlachodimos for £20 million as part of the Elliot Anderson deal with Nottingham Forest. Saying that, Ruddy made a lot more sense than Vlachodimos.
As well as potentially losing Ruddy, we expect Martin Dubravka will finally move on this summer after his January exit was blocked.