Newcastle United have reopened negotiations with Burnley for goalkeeper James Trafford, with Sky Sports reporting the club is “in talks to sign Trafford” and aiming to finalize a deal worth over £30 million.
The Magpies had previously attempted to sign the 22-year-old last summer, submitting two failed bids. Newcastle has already seen bids for Trafford rejected by Burnley last summer, but the club has verbally agreed on personal terms with the goalkeeper, and the final agreement seems to be closer than ever.
That verbal agreement still stands, according to football insider Fabrizio Romano, who reaffirmed three months ago that the terms agreed in 2024 are “still valid,” and Trafford remains “top of the list as new GK for Newcastle next season.”
Now back in the Premier League after promotion, Burnley are in a stronger negotiating position to demand a higher transfer fee.
⚪️⚫️ Newcastle agreed personal terms with James Trafford since summer 2024 and the verbal pact is still valid.
He’s still top of the list as new GK for Newcastle next season. pic.twitter.com/nnPTNJTZzZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 21, 2025
Trafford, meanwhile, was pivotal to Burnley’s promotion, keeping 29 clean sheets in 45 appearances and helping secure a second-place finish with 100 points. His standout campaign has driven up his valuation, reportedly past the £30 million mark.
Sky reports that Newcastle do not view Trafford as an automatic No. 1, but rather as direct competition for Nick Pope.
With Champions League football on the horizon, however, Eddie Howe is looking to deepen his squad. Should the transfer go through, veteran backups Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos will most probably be on the move.