Newcastle United are hoping their James Trafford interest does not go the same way as their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo.
Trafford is Newcastle’s top goalkeeper target, as the Magpies aim to complete the deal they came agonisingly close to 12 months ago.
However, Newcastle United’s 2025 summer transfer window has not got off to the best of starts. They have missed out on Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap, and now Newcastle could miss out on Bryan Mbeumo too.
Mbeumo wants to join Manchester United, much to the frustration of the Toon Army.
Newcastle United make James Trafford transfer admission
Some of the Magpies’ top targets have already chosen to move elsewhere, and they will hope that the same does not happen to James Trafford.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Newcastle are expected to bid for Trafford, but there are no guarantees that he will arrive from Burnley.
According to the i Paper, Newcastle United are describing a deal for Trafford as ‘difficult’.
They report that the 22-year-old will cost more than £30million, while a deal is complicated by the fact that Newcastle already have five senior goalkeepers at the club.
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One of those goalkeepers is Nick Pope, who enjoyed an incredibly strong second half of the season.
Pope is a transfer target for Leeds United, and he is certainly the most saleable of all of the Newcastle United goalkeepers.
Manchester City threaten Newcastle United’s James Trafford pursuit
Another problem facing the Magpies is the threat of interest from elsewhere.
The i Paper add that Manchester City could potentially rival Newcastle United for Trafford’s signature, amid uncertainty regarding Ederson’s future at the Etihad.
Trafford came through Manchester City’s academy, but never made a senior appearance before being sold to Burnley for £19million in 2023.
Pep Guardiola’s side did include a buyback clause when they let Trafford depart, meaning they can re-sign the goalkeeper for a fee of more than £40million.