Newcastle United are hoping to sign James Trafford this summer.
The Magpies tried to land him last summer, only for PSR to force Newcastle United to miss out on James Trafford.
Newcastle looked at Trafford in January too, but once again it was PSR limiting Paul Mitchell’s ability to invest.
Now the summer of 2025 is looming, and it has been reported that Newcastle expect to sign Trafford.
It could be third time lucky, while Fabrizio Romano has stated on X that Newcastle have a ‘verbal pact’ with the £19million goalkeeper after he agreed personal terms last summer.
⚪️⚫️ Newcastle agreed personal terms with James Trafford since summer 2024 and the verbal pact is still valid.
He’s still top of the list as new GK for Newcastle next season. pic.twitter.com/nnPTNJTZzZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 21, 2025
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Newcastle United face competition to sign James Trafford
While the Magpies are hoping to sign the 22-year-old stopper, they suddenly face competition from one of their Premier League rivals.
According to TalkSPORT, West Ham United are going to challenge Newcastle United for Trafford’s signature.
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They report that the Hammers are aiming to improve their goalkeeping department, with Trafford one of the options they are considering.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
How Newcastle can win the race to sign Trafford
Trafford has been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park, but a Toon transfer might not be as certain as suggested.
West Ham could be set to challenge the Magpies in the race to sign Trafford, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
It will likely depend on who can offer him the most appealing package. That will be based on the club’s project and ambitions, and where Trafford fits in to them.
In that respect, the Magpies should be in pole position. PIF have plans to make Newcastle an elite club, as they aim to regularly compete in the Champions League and challenge for trophies.
The fact that Newcastle just won the Carabao Cup will help bring players to St James’ Park, as it proves that can achieve their personal goals on Tyneside.
But Newcastle will also need to offer Trafford a path to becoming the first choice goalkeeper. It might take a year or two, but the goal will have to be for him to become Eddie Howe’s number one.
Again, that will surely appeal to Trafford – the chance to be the first choice goalkeeper for a club that has major trophy and European ambitions.
They are ambitions that are loftier than West Ham’s, who may only be able to tempt Trafford if they guarantee him a starting role immediately. Given the fact they have Alphonse Areola, it remains to be seen if that would be possible.