A big source of frustration for Newcastle United fans from last summer was our inability to land top targets in the first few months of the transfer window.
Take Benjamin Sesko: we offered RB Leipzig huge money, but he went to Manchester United. Similar to Liam Delap and Chelsea beating us to his signature. With the benefit of hindsight, we may have lucked out signing Nick Woltemade compared to those two other strikers, although Hugo Ekitike, now at Liverpool, feels like the one that got away (again).
Then we have James Trafford. The Burnley ace had been wanted by Eddie Howe for some time, and we were denied the opportunity to sign him as Man City triggered a clause within his contract to match our bid and snatch his signature in the process…only to then sign the best goalkeeper in the world in Gianluigi Donnarumma the very same window.
And now the Englishman has opened up about the tumultuous transfer saga for the first time, giving a pretty frank assessment of his situation.
A visibly frustrated James Trafford has hinted at a summer departure from Man City in pursuit of first team football.
Having been demoted to a ‘cup keeper’ following Donnarumma’s shock arrival, Trafford’s best moments in a Man City shirt have ironically come against us, as he pulled off some spectacular saves in both legs of the Carabao Cup Semi-Final.
And though the 23-year-old has affirmed that he will continue to work hard under Pep Guardiola, the England talent did not shy away from his frustrations when speaking after Man City’s FA Cup win over Salford.
Trafford admits he “tried to guard against the situation” he’s found himself in and spoke with an element of regret regarding his move to Man City, refusing to rule out a move away this summer.
“I didn’t expect the situation (over Donnarumma joining) to happen but it happened, so just get on with it.
“So it’s happened, so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot.
“I tried to guard against this situation happening (becoming a No. 2), but it’s the reality. It’s football, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can. This is just another experience to add to my career and it has been a good learning experience.
“Who knows, it’s football. Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens. I’ve obviously got a contract, so I don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”
🚨 James Trafford looks and sounds like he regrets his move to Manchester City. 👀 pic.twitter.com/aiFKJt3NXG
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 15, 2026
With this summer’s World Cup followed up by a UK-based EUROs, Trafford will want to ensure he has the best chance of becoming England’s No.1. But he won’t overtake Jordan Pickford without regular first team football.
And what easier route to first team football would he have than pushing for a move to St James’ Park?
Aaron Ramsdale’s future is up in the air, though you would expect we don’t make his loan move permanent this summer. Meanwhile, Nick Pope’s long-term position as our starting goalkeeper is under threat, even if he has extended his deal until 2027.
So as much as the Trafford signing makes perfect sense, could price and competition prove to be a stumbling block?
It’s been suggested that he may now be priced out of a move to Newcastle, as his current Man City wages are considerably more than what would be on offer at Newcastle.
However, if we remain keen, the player is happy to take a slight pay-cut and Man City are willing to sell for a reasonable fee following their £27m purchase last summer, it might just be third time lucky. But, with plenty of factors to overcome and other clubs likely to be in the mix, it’s anything but straightforward.