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Newcastle United have been tracking the English goalkeeper for the best part of a year.
West Ham United are the latest club to be credited with an interest inNewcastle United transfer target James Trafford.
The 22-year-old is enjoying an outstanding season at Championship club Burnley, conceding just 11 goals and keeping 26 clean sheets in 37 games. The Clarets are locked into a three-horse race for automatic promotion, sitting just two points behind the top two Leeds United and Sheffield United, who are both on 80 points.
However, there’s a strong chance Trafford will leave the Turf Moor side this summer, regardless of whether they return to the Premier League at the first attempt. And St James’ Park appears to be his most likely destination, despite talk from elsewhere.
Mail Online reported last month that the goalkeeper’s proposed move to the Magpies is “expected to be completed without any hitches”. United tried to sign Trafford last summer and had agreed personal terms but couldn’t agree a fee with Burnley.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the “verbal pact is still valid”, although his price tag is expected to rise from the £20milion that was discussed previously.
Newcastle scouts have continued to monitor Trafford’s progress this campaign as they eye a long-term replacement for Nick Pope, 32, and Martin Dubravka, 36.
A big future at club and international level predicted
Trafford has been called up to the England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. and as per reports has been selected in the matchday squad ahead of Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale tonight.
Everton’s Jordan Pickford, 31, is the Three Lions’ No.1 currently but Trafford has been tipped to replace him in the future.
“Yeah, I think so,” said Burnley manager Scott Parker when asked about the player’s international prospects. “I think in terms of what you see in there, this is a boy with absolutely humongous potential.
“I still think there's so much more to come from him. I have seen a real development in his maturity and his understanding of the game, understanding when to play, when not to play and mixing up of his game.
“I don't think there's a better goalkeeper in and around this division in terms of keeping the ball out of his net as well.”
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