Newcastle United are set to face competition from Premier League rival Aston Villa for the signature of a rumoured goalkeeper target.
Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka have shared the minutes between the sticks this season, with Odysseas Vlachodimos 45 minute cameo against Wimbledon in Round Three of the Carabao Cup leaving him way back in the pecking order.
A younger shot-stopper with improved distribution is believed to be a targeted position when the window opens, with fresh names cropping up in the last couple weeks to suggest a move for ‘top target’ James Trafford is far from done.
After reports in Spain last week suggested that Newcastle were pushing to sign Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, it seems a Premier League rival are also eyeing the Spanish goalkeeper.
Emiliano Martinez has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and Fabrizio Romano reports that the Argentinian is now ‘expected to leave’ Aston Villa this summer. The World Cup winner waved goodbye to Villa Park with tears in his eyes after their 2-0 win over Spurs on Friday evening.
This leaves Unai Emery searching for a replacement and Romano reveals that Villa are ‘among several clubs’ showing showing interest in Garcia, stating that the race is ‘open’ to sign the 24-year-old, who has a £25m release clause in his contract.
Villa have been praised for building a squad with multiple options in every position, however, the only back-up to Martinez is 35-year-old Robin Olsen, highlighting their need to strengthen.
At points during the season it felt to me like a foregone conclusion that Newcastle would sign James Trafford this summer, but the Clarets find themselves in a stronger negotiating position after securing promotion to the Premier League.
I am still confident that we make an approach for the 22-year-old this summer, but we can expect plenty of competition for the 6’6” shot-stopper who has raised his profile in the Championship after question marks during Burnley’s 2023/24 campaign.
Based on recent reports, however, a number of other names have emerged alongside Garcia as potential alternatives to Traffford.
Last month Gregor Kobel’s name entered the conversation, with the rumour heightened last week when Craig Hope reported we had been watching the Dortmund goalkeeper.
L’Equipe then reported last week that we are looking at Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana and have enquired about the 24-year-old’s availability.