Newcastle transfer target James Trafford says he was very interested in joining the Magpies last summer.
Eddie Howe’s side are expected to revive their attempts to sign the Burnley keeper, and speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Trafford made it crystal clear why he was so keen on making the switch to St James’ Park:
“In the summer, I think people knew I wanted to move. 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.”
Most Read on Newcastle United News
“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…”
“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.”
Burnley have set their asking price
The 22-year-old played a key role in helping his current club get promoted back to the Premier League. He kept 29 clean sheets for the Clarets in 45 appearances. It means that he won’t be available on the cheap this summer.
Trafford is expected to cost at least £30m and it will be up to Newcastle to decide whether he is worth the outlay, considering that they already have four first-team keepers in Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy.
Newcastle are not the only team who want Trafford
It was reported earlier this week that the keeper’s former club, Manchester City, are weighing up whether to bring him back to the Etihad.
Chelsea are also said to be keen on signing Trafford if they fail in their bid to lure Mike Maignan away from AC Milan.
Despite interest from those two clubs, though, the Magpies will still be confident about winning the race for Trafford based on his recent comments.
In other news, Newcastle have been backed to sign a West Ham player after losing the battle for Bryan Mbeumo