The World Cup may be underway, but the transfer rumour mill shows no signs of slowing down. Liverpool continue to be linked with a host of players this summer following the appointment of Andoni Iraola as head coach.
The Reds have long admired RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande and remain strongly linked with a move for the highly-rated attacker.
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There have also been suggestions that Iraola could look to reunite with some of the players he previously worked with at Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been linked with several goalkeepers amid speculation surrounding Alisson Becker’s future. Juventus were credited with an interest in the Brazilian, while Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford was also reportedly attracting attention from Anfield.
However, Alisson now appears set to remain at Liverpool after the club blocked any potential exit, significantly reducing the need for the Reds to enter the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper.
According to The Athletic, Newcastle United have rekindled their interest in signing Trafford as they continue efforts to strengthen their goalkeeping department.
Following the end of Aaron Ramsdale’s loan spell, Newcastle moved to sign 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims. Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope could leave the club if another senior shot-stopper arrives this summer.
Trafford remains Newcastle’s top target. The Magpies attempted to sign the 23-year-old last summer before he completed a move from Burnley to Manchester City.
The England international was reportedly expected to become Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper but was overtaken in the pecking order by Gianluigi Donnarumma, resulting in just 17 appearances during the campaign.
That situation has opened the door to a potential move, with Newcastle making fresh contact with Manchester City to reiterate their interest. Formal negotiations have not yet started, however, and Trafford is understood to be delaying any decision on his future until after the World Cup.
While that stance has not affected Newcastle’s interest, the delay could complicate matters if Eddie Howe’s side feel they need to strengthen the position sooner ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Trafford came through Manchester City’s academy and enjoyed loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before joining Burnley on a permanent basis in the summer of 2023.
After establishing himself as Burnley’s undisputed No. 1 and making 73 appearances across two seasons, Trafford found regular opportunities harder to come by during his first campaign back at Man City.