Newcastle United are keen to sign a goalkeeper in this summer’s transfer window.
Burnley’s James Trafford remains top of Newcastle United’s goalkeeper wish list, despite transfer links to other names.
Reports in Spain earlier this week claimed the Magpies were close to triggering the £21million release clause of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Howeverbarcelona-5152859" title="Newcastle United’s stance on Joan Garcia as Eddie Howe approves fresh £20m+ move">, as reported by NewcastleWorld, those stories were wide of the mark.
United are aware of Garcia but at no stage have talks been advanced. Instead, the 24-year-old looks set to make the controversial switch to city-rivals Barcelona, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Romano wrote on X: “The agreement between Barça and Joan García on long term deal is now very advanced, almost done. Negotiations underway with Spanish GK with club confident to get his green light in the upcoming days. Barça want to get it done asap and anticipate Premier League clubs.”
James Trafford: Newcastle United remain keen on deal
Newcastle remain keen on Trafford, who was set to move to St James’ Park last summer. That was until the club were forced to pull the plug when it became apparent Nottingham Forest would demand the signing of Odysseas Vlachodimos in return for the PSR-satisfying swindle which saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.
Trafford agreed personal terms with the Magpies last year and that “verbal pact is still valid” according to Romano. There is, however, an acceptance that a deal is nowhere near as easy to do this time around.
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While Newcastle had a free run at a player seen as the future England No.1 last summer, they don't this time, with a steady queue of admirers forming after his promotion heroics at Turf Moor. The 22-year-old kept a Championship record of 19 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals, including keeping 12 consecutive clean sheets between December and March.
James Trafford on his Burnley future
The Daily Mail claims Trafford’s price tag is likely to be around £30m this summer, as opposed to £20m last summer. As well as goalkeeper, Eddie Howe has other positions he’d also like to strengthen like a centre-back and right forward.
When asked about his future in May, Trafford said: "I've got an incredibly good circle around me. It's very small but it's incredibly good. When the season ends I'll go on holiday and relax from football and then I'll start getting ready for the national team in the summer.
"I don't go on my phone too much. I'm not naive enough to say I don't see any of the noise around me but it doesn't bother me. Whatever happens will happen. I've done all I can this season."
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