James Trafford
James Trafford
Newcastle United summer transfer target James Trafford has revealed he almost left Burnley last summer in a move that would have been 'brilliant' for him. The England goalkeeper remains high on the Magpies summer wishlist after winning promotion back to the Premier League with Scott Parker's side.
United made enquiries over Trafford's availability in 2024, although no move materialised. After a difficult campaign in the top flight, which had seen Burnley relegated, the 22-year-old established himself as first choice once more in the Championship, keeping an incredible 29 clean sheets as they finished in second spot behind Leeds United.
The Carlisle-born shot-stopper is now looking forward to proving his credentials in the Premier League, but has again been linked with a move to St James' Park. Newcastle are thought to be in the market for the goalkeeper this summer, although his pricetag will have risen again after an impressive season. Burnley paid £19m for his services, and are expected to ask in the region of £30-40m.
Speaking for the first time about last summer's transfer speculation, Trafford has admitted he was close to leaving Turf Moor. While he didn't name Newcastle, he confirmed that the move would have been 'brilliant for me'.
“In the summer I think people knew I wanted to move,” he told the Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast. “The club that I was close to going, it was a good fit for me. It was brilliant for me and I really believed in it.
“I wanted to move, not just because I didn’t want to play in the Championship, I had no shame playing in the Championship. I have no ego to think I’m better than the Championship. You only prove something by performing and showing people. You can say whatever you want but unless you perform.
James Trafford of Burnley
James Trafford of Burnley(Image: PA)
“It was just when an opportunity and a situation you think suits you can happen, you should take it and you should try and go for it, so I wanted to move. It was close but it didn’t end up happening.
“The manager was brilliant throughout pre-season. I wasn’t the best, I was moody because I’m young and I wanted to move, but in the moment I still worked extremely hard.
“I knew the longer it went on, the reality became I would be playing the first game of the season and I wanted to play. I told the manager I’m available if he wanted to select me. If not, I’ll sit on the bench, but I’m available. He played me the first game and that was it.”
Trafford makes no oones about his ambitions for the future, with Premier League football a must as he looks to make an impression on England head coach Thomas Tuchel. He has been included in the senior squad for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra and next week's friendly with Senegal, and knows he must perform at the top level.
“That’s where I’ve always been aiming for, the top of the Prem," he added. "Everyone wants to go there, everyone wants to play there.
“To get there you have to play games, improve and get to a level where you do go back, to wherever I end up, whenever, to make sure I’m ready for it and I’m the best equipped to perform.”