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Newcastle United transfers: Alan Shearer has backed Manchester City’s James Trafford to finally join Newcastle this summer.
James Trafford is set for a third summer of being linked with Newcastle United.
Trafford verbally agreed personal terms with the Magpies in the summer of 2024 only for the deal to fall through with Burnley. Their attempt to sign the goalkeeper once again prove unsuccessful the following year as he joined Manchester City instead.
Newcastle appeared to be on the brink of getting their man after they reportedly agreed a fee of around £28m with the Clarets - but that deal was scuppered when City were able to trigger a clause to buy-back their former academy prospect.
Despite expecting to become Pep Guardiola’s number one keeper in the aftermath of Ederson’s departure, Trafford has only made 13 appearances in all competitions throughout the season as the City boss has favoured another of his summer signings, Gianluigi Donnarumma, for large parts of the campaign.
Alan Shearer on Trafford
Trafford has been linked with a move to Newcastle in recent weeks and months and Shearer has called on Newcastle to try and make it third-time lucky by making another move for the 23-year-old as doubt remains over the future of current keepers Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.
Speaking about Trafford on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: "He’s coming to Newcastle, lads. It wouldn’t surprise me. It was almost done and dusted last summer and then, for whatever reason, City came back in with a buy-back clause. I guess he thought that he was going there as a No.1 [goalkeeper], and clearly other things took over with Donnarumma [moving to City]. I would like to think that Newcastle would be back in for him. He will definitely have options, but if he was that close to Newcastle last summer, I would see no reason for him to not be that close again.”
Eddie Howe admires James Trafford
Eddie Howe looks on from the touchlineplaceholder image
Eddie Howe looks on from the touchline | AFP via Getty Images
Trafford has visited St James’ Park three times since his move fell through and has also started against Newcastle three times this season for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
Assessing the goalkeeper, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “I think he's a very, very good goalkeeper. I'm a big fan of his and I think Manchester City are really in a great position with the two goalkeepers that they have. They've probably got more than that, but the two that have been involved this season are fantastic goalkeepers. No, I don't look at it that way. I wish him all the best in his career and if he plays tomorrow, we'll look forward to going up against him.”
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