It’s becoming very clear that James Trafford is a top target in our search for a new goalkeeper.
Just about every reputable outlet out there has said as much, with our interest continuing after the club tried and failed with a £16m bid for the Burnley stopper last summer.
Earlier today, Sky Sports revealed that we are in talks with the Clarets over a deal and attempting to negotiate the fee down from their £30m asking price.
Newcastle will be hoping our second attempt to land the 22-year-old has a positive outcome 12 months on, but another option appears to be on our radar should we fail to agree a deal.
Lille’s Lucas Chevalier may be one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks if Newcastle fail in their latest attempt to sign James Trafford.
The Athletic insist that the England talent is the ‘top target’, as we’ve heard on countless occasions this year, but reveal that Chevalier is also on Newcastle’s watchlist.
Chris Waugh reports that the French international ‘has admirers inside St James’ Park’ and it’s no surprise after establishing himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe over the past few seasons.
In Ligue 1, the 23-year-old kept 11 clean sheets in 36 games for Lille over the 2024/25 campaign, also impressing in their run to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, keeping a clean sheet in a shock 1-0 win over Real Madrid and producing heroics in a league phase win at Atletico Madrid.
Another familiar name that’s finally gone quiet after media speculation in Spain is Joan Garcia. The Athletic have confirmed that Newcastle scouts have been watching him at Espanyol, but he’s all set to join Barcelona in a £21m deal.
Despite having a number of senior options, Chelsea are also in the market for a goalkeeper and had been working on a deal to sign Mike Maignan; the man who keeps Chevalier out of the French national side at present.
However, Fabrizio Romano revealed today that Maignan’s proposed move to Stamford Bridge is now OFF, leaving Chelsea to potentially look elsewhere.
Just last week, The Guardian mentioned James Trafford as a player Chelsea have shown interest in, so we’ll have to hope the free-spending Blues don’t join the race for Howe’s No 1 goalkeeper target.