**When the summer transfer window opened, it was widely reported that Newcastle United had one deal all lined up and ready to go.**
Indeed, it had been reported months before the window even opened that James Trafford's move from Burnley to Newcastle United was all but done, and the Carlisle-born England star was heading to St James' Park.
The window opened, and there was no movement. Burnley were suddenly asking for double the money that was being reported before, thanks to Trafford's sensational form in the Championship and the fact that Burnley were now a Premier League side again.
There was still no need to panic, though; the deal was done, right? Wrong. Manchester City stepped in and activated their £27 million buy-back clause, leaving Trafford with a decision to make: Go to Newcastle, the club that had pursued him for a year, or return to Manchester City, who would be challenging for Premier League titles and working under Pep Guardiola, who had personally reached out to sell him on the move.
Oops!
Shay Given feels James Trafford has made a huge mistake
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Trafford obviously took option B, buying into the starry-eyed dream sold by Pep. The 22-year-old was handed the Number 1 jersey and even started the first three games of ht season, but then City moved to bring in Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and suddenly, Trafford found himself on the bench.
Former Newcastle and Man City goalkeeper Shay Given has now told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club (via [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-city-james-trafford-newcastle-35915378)) that he would be 'raging' if he were Trafford.
> "I do feel for Trafford because I know he was heavily linked with Newcastle. My understanding is, well he has the number one jersey on his back but promise isn't the right word in football and guarantee isn't the right word in football but I think James Trafford is a brilliant goalkeeper."In the year of a World Cup I think Pep has given him the full sales pitch. 'You're going to come to Manchester City, the number one jersey is yours, you are going to be playing regularly, playing Champions League football and if you play your cards right you might actually play for England in the World Cup next summer'.
>
> "Fast forward two weeks and the big man Donnarumma comes from Italy and he is parked up for the season. I don't know where his mindset is at. I seen him walking around the pitch (after the Manchester derby) and I am just thinking a penny for his thoughts. I know he is young but if it was me I would be raging. Raging I have had that conversation and two weeks later I am on the bench. What does Trafford do now? He is off the back of a phenomenal season. What happens now?"
James Trafford - Take your place behind Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in the "What have I done?" line
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Trafford was one of several players who chose the pound signs over the chance to be part of something special at Newcastle and is likely not the first one to question their decision.
Newcastle brought in Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton for the season, and the former Arsenal man is playing second fiddle to Nick Pope, but there was a feeling that if Trafford had signed for Eddie Howe, he'd have ousted Nick Pope as first-choice.
Donnarumma is widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so Trafford really has his work cut out for him now, whereas he could have kicked Pope off his throne quite easily.