Nick Pope has sent a message to Newcastle United transfer target James Trafford. (Photo credit: Getty Images)placeholder image
Nick Pope has sent a message to Newcastle United transfer target James Trafford. (Photo credit: Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United are confident of signing Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford... just ask Nick Pope.
Nick Pope has sent a message to Newcastle United transfer target James Trafford, although we’re not sure we were supposed to see it!
It’s no secret that Newcastle want to sign Trafford, who was set to sign last summer. However, 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.
To put it simply, it was either agree to take Vlachodimos or take a points deduction.
The Magpies have wasted no time in reigniting their interest in Trafford after the 22-year-old kept a record 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals to help Burnley return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Negotiations between the two clubs are underway. The Clarets are said to value the future England number one at £40million but Newcastle hope to reach a compromise.
Meanwhile, Trafford is understood to have already agreed personal terms over a switch to St James’ Park.
Nick Pope sends message to James Trafford
There is an expectation that Newcastle will eventually get their man this summer. Just ask Nick Pope...
Replying to a video on Trafford’s Instagram story on him saving a late penalty against Spain to help England win the under-21s European Championship in 2023, Pope said “see you soon, s-----r”.
Now, we’re pretty sure Pope thought he was sending a direct message. But no, the whole of social media can see it! Newcastle fans are loving it, with one fan dubbing him ‘Agent Pope’.
If a deal is finalised, as expected, Trafford will rival 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.”
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