Newcastle United have stepped up their pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, leaving Nick Pope’s future at the club in doubt.
Despite handing Mark Gillespie a new deal and advancing in negotiations with John Ruddy, Eddie Howe is still eager to improve his options between the sticks and believes that James Trafford is the right person to bring in.
The 22-year-old is coming off the back of a sensational season with Burnley, keeping a record 29 clean sheets in the Championship and helping them win promotion back to the Premier League under Scott Parker.
Trafford nearly joined Newcastle United in 2024, but the deal had to be abandoned as the Magpies could not risk falling even further into a PSR blackhole. However, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Newcastle, as Trafford has had another year to develop.
Newcastle signing Trafford means that the futures of players like Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka are in jeopardy. Both players have been linked with moves away this summer and could be moved on with another shot-stopper joining the club.
With Newcastle’s pursuit of Trafford advancing, Howe’s plan for his goalkeepers has now been shared.
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Eddie Howe wants James Trafford and Nick Pope to fight for Newcastle United place
It was recently reported that Newcastle do not want to sell Pope when Trafford arrives, and that still looks to be the case.
Pope attracted interest from Leeds as they look to improve their options between the sticks following their promotion to the Premier League, but it has now been stated that Howe is not interested in selling the 33-year-old and wants him to fight with Trafford for the number one spot at Newcastle.
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According to Sky Sports News, talks between Newcastle and Burnley for Trafford have progressed. The Clarets are understood to be asking for £30m for Trafford, a fee which Newcastle should be able to afford given their sensible approach to previous transfer windows.
BREAKING: Newcastle are in talks to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford 🚨
Burnley are understood to value Trafford at £30m with Newcastle hoping to have him and Nick Pope competing for the No.1 spot next season ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/S8acGuz7wi
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 10, 2025
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While the plan looks like it will work on paper, Trafford wants first-team assurances at Newcastle, so he will likely expect to play more games than Pope if he is to sign.
Coincidentally, Newcastle signed Pope from Burnley in 2022. Howe seems to be making a habit of signing shot-stoppers from the Clarets.
Newcastle United looking to sign another goalkeeper amid James Trafford talks
As previously mentioned, Newcastle have extended Gillespie’s contract and are looking to hand Ruddy a new deal. The pair are seen as useful to Howe, as both lead by example in training.
While Trafford looks set to join Newcastle and fight for the number one spot, the Magpies are also looking to sign another goalkeeper to help them in the Champions League next season.
Fraser Forster is leaving Tottenham Hotspur at the end of his contract and is believed to be of interest to Newcastle. The 37-year-old is a Newcastle academy graduate, so signing him would help them with their UEFA squad registration for the Champions League season.
As it stands, Newcastle only have Sean Longstaff who complies with that rule, but with his future looking bleak, the club are now looking at alternative signings.
Forster admitted he dreamed of playing for Newcastle again. That dream could soon come true for the England international.