Newcastle United want quick-fire action in the transfer market this summer and James Trafford is a target.
Trafford was strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United last summer but remained at Burnley and played a key role as they won promotion back to the Premier League.
Still, despite the fact the Clarets are back in the big time, Newcastle intend to make a bid for Trafford this summer.
Eddie Howe has little time to waste. The club haven’t signed a first-team ready player since the summer of 2023 and, as a natural result, Howe wants Newcastle to sign targets quickly this summer.
Trafford agreed personal terms with Newcastle a while ago but there’s still the small matter of convincing Burnley to sell one of their key players to factor into the equation.
Newcastle will have to pay more than £30million to sign Trafford and some fresh insight emerged on Sunday.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Newcastle United confident off-field issues won’t scupper James Trafford plans
According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle are ready for talks with Burnley over a move for the 22-year-old.
It’s claimed that he remains their leading target for a new goalkeeper this summer despite links with a move for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
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Burnley boss Scott Parker wants to keep the former Manchester City youngster, though Newcastle’s recruitment team are understood to be confident about doing a deal.
In fact, it’s said that senior sources at the club are adamant that imminent exits of sporting director Paul Mitchell and CEO Darren Eales won’t impact their plans.
Newcastle United learn new James Trafford development
It’s obvious why Parker would want to keep Trafford at Burnley. In 45 games during the 2024/25 campaign, he conceded only 16 goals.
That is a remarkable record for a young goalkeeper, particularly one who endured a rather bruising time of things the last time he was in the Premier League.
Still, wanting to keep him and actually holding on to him are two very different things.
Some recent transfer news emerging from Turf Moor might offer a further indication in regard to the Trafford saga too.
Reports in France have claimed that Burnley are looking to sign goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, who could feasibly be seen as Trafford’s replacement.