Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford arrives at the ground ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match at Turf Moor.
James Trafford is a long-term transfer target for Newcastle.
There are just a couple of days until this summer’s early transfer window opens with Newcastle United looking to do business in preparation for Champions League football being back at St James’ Park.
It’s just under a week since the Magpies confirmed the return of the prime European competition to the North East and excitement is already building.
For Eddie Howe and his backroom staff concentration will be on building a team and a squad to cope with the extra games that the Champions League will bring next season. It could therefore mean a busy summer window, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.
The Magpies have already been linked with several potential transfers. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at a couple of the latest reports and given our own thoughts.
‘Offer anticipated’ for target
Newcastle are expected to make an offer for number one goalkeeping target James Trafford, according to the Daily Mail.
The Magpies have recently been linked with a move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but the report says that Newcastle will prioritise a move for Burnley’s Trafford.
He has been a long-term target for the club and they saw two bids rejected by Burnley last summer. But it seems that Newcastle are not giving up and are now anticipated to make their move.
It is said that Burnley value Trafford at in excess of £20 million.
ChronicleLive says: Trafford has been a long-term target for Newcastle and his performances in the Championship this season would only have made that interest grow. He was a key part of Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League, keeping an impressive 16 clean sheets in 45 league appearances and conceding just 29 goals.
Trafford has shown he is ready to make the step up. £20 million for a goalkeeper who could just make the difference in the big games is not a bad price.
Bryan Mbeumo competition
Newcastle face competition from Manchester United for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo this summer as both teams search for a Liam Delap alternative.
Delap looks to be heading to Chelsea with both Newcastle and Man United left looking for alternative attacking options. One possibility that has been named for both is Mbeumo.
On Wednesday, the Telegraph reported that Newcastle are ready to ‘swoop’ for the Brentford man. However, GIVEMESPORT report that Man United are also showing an interest, and Newcastle are ‘not convinced’ about paying Brentford’s £60 million asking price for the player in full.
But the reports adds the Mbeumo is understood to be open to the idea of moving to Newcastle - having been sounded out about the possibility - especially with Champions League football being on offer.
ChronicleLive says: Missing out on Delap is a blow for both clubs, and it probably is likely that they will look at similar transfer alternatives. Newcastle do though have the advantage of being able to offer Champions League football over Man United.
Meanwhile Ruben Amorim’s side have no European football to try and entice potential targets.
The question then to be asked is how much the two clubs are willing to, or can spend, to try and complete deals for the targets.
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