Newcastle United have reignited their interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. (Photo credit: Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United have reignited their interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. (Photo credit: Getty Images) | Getty Images
James Trafford must brush up on Geordie dialect as Newcastle United close in on signing him.
Trafford was set to sign last summer but Newcastle were forced to pull the deal when they agreed to sign Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR swindle with Nottingham Forest that saw Elliot Anderson move in the opposite direction.
But the Magpies have kept a very close eye on Trafford, who last season recorded 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals as the Clarets achieved promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Talks between United and Burnley are ongoing with an agreement thought to be close. As per Fabrizio Romano, the “final details are being sorted”.
James Trafford deletes comment as Newcastle United transfer edges closer
Trafford has already agreed personal terms over a move to Tyneside but if he learnt one thing over the weekend, then it’s to brush up on his Geordie dialect!
The 22-year-old helped England win the under-21s European Championship in 2023, memorably saving a late penalty against Spain in the final.
Two years on, Trafford was a spectator from his current holiday destination as he watched a new batch of players retain the Three Lions’ crown with a 3-2 extra-time win over Germany. Newcastle right-back Tino Livramento and former academy graduate Elliot Anderson were among the team’s standout performers.
Reacting to the victory on Instagram, Anderson shared a photo of him holding the Euro trophy and another of him wearing an England kit when he was still a junior with the caption “EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS”.
Showing his support in the comments, Newcastle-bound Trafford made a rookie mistake, replying “haway” which is synonymous with the club’s bitter rivals Sunderland.
“Howay” is the Newcastle spelling and Whitley Bay-born Anderson wasted no time in correcting Trafford. Several Newcastle fans followed suit before the Cockermouth-born goalkeeper later deleted his comment.
After his gaffe, we’re told Trafford turned straight to Amazon Prime and ordered a Geordie dialect book...
Nick Pope drops Newcastle United transfer hint
Now it wasn’t just Trafford at the centre of social media frenzy at the weekend.
On Friday, Trafford shared a video showing his heroics from England’s 2023 Euro under-21s win. Newcastle’s current number one Nick Pope replied ‘see you soon s-----r”, obviously thinking it was a direct message. But no, the whole of Instagram could see it!
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Pope’s gaffe is another indication that Trafford’s move is close. It was encouraging to see Pope interact with Trafford ahead of the pair battling it out for the number one spot at Newcastle.
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.
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