As Newcastle United aim to sign James Trafford ahead of Manchester City, Ben Foster has issued a warning to the goalkeeper.
James Trafford is Newcastle United’s top goalkeeping target, with Eddie Howe aiming to sign someone who can compete with Nick Pope for a place in the starting XI. Trafford was earmarked for that role 12 months ago, with Newcastle’s pursuit carrying on from the 2024 summer transfer window.
It has been reported that Newcastle are close to signing Trafford, with the Magpies aiming to agree a fee with Burnley. That is the only stumbling block, as Trafford has agreed personal terms with Newcastle.
James Trafford gestures to an official during Burnley's Championship game against Stoke City.
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
James Trafford transfer is ‘imminent’ with Newcastle United and Manchester City interested
The 22-year-old has been relentlessly linked with the Magpies, but they are not his only suitors. Manchester City are a contender too, two years after selling him to Burnley.
Man City have a buyback option for the stopper, so there is every chance that Newcastle’s approach could be hijacked.
Whoever wins the race, former England goalkeeper Ben Foster believes that a transfer is now ‘imminent’ for Trafford.
“I think it is imminent [Trafford leaving Burnley], to be perfectly honest with you,” Foster said on his YouTube channel.
“Whether it’s Man City or whether it’s Newcastle, I think he is going to be going.
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“Whether he’s going to get first-team football straight away, I’m not fully sure. We’re just going to have to wait and see.
“For Man City, it probably makes more sense for them to be perfectly honest because they have that sell-on clause. I think this is why they [Burnley] are holding out for a bit more money.”
Ben Foster sends a warning message to James Trafford
Whether Trafford joins Newcastle or Manchester City, Foster has a clear message for the man who is being tipped to replace Jordan Pickford as England’s number one. Wherever he goes, he is not going to immediately become first choice.
“It’ll be really interesting to see, because when you’ve got an established first-team goalkeeper at the club, Ederson and Nick Pope, they are established,” Foster said.
“I know there has always been rumours about Ederson, he might be leaving next season, and with Pope there is this ‘well he can’t really play with his feet’, but they’re still established number ones. So you can’t expect to just go in there and be the number one goalkeeper. It might be a case of having to battle it out for a little bit, waiting for an injury or a dip in form.”
That will certainly be the case at Newcastle United if Trafford arrives at St James’ Park. Howe wants to keep Nick Pope at the club, and he has enjoyed a spectacular 2025 so far.
There is no reason for the Magpies to replace Pope right now. It would be incredibly harsh on the 33-year-old.
Instead, Trafford would provide competition and rotate with Pope when possible. However, the overall goal would be for him to replace Pope, but only when the time is right.
That is something that Trafford will be aware of, as he edges closer to a move away from Burnley. While he has a lot of potential and there is a huge amount of hype surrounding him, he is not going to walk into the starting XI of a Champions League club, whether it is Newcastle United or Manchester City.