· 4 August 2025, 11:00
**Newcastle United already had a surplus of goalkeepers before Aaron Ramsdale arrived from Southampton on loan.**
Despite having _five_ first-team goalkeepers last season, a new stopper was always on Eddie Howe's list for a summer investment. We all thought that would be James Trafford, but Newcastle's inaction opened the door for him to return to Manchester City, a door which he sashayed through almost immediately.
However, it didn't take long for Newcastle to pivot, and the club quickly wrapped up a loan deal for Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale, proving that they can act quickly if needed.
Meanwhile, Trafford's departure from Burnley has left them with a hole in their squad, one which looks like it may be filled by Newcastle's Martin Dubravka.
> [](https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1952285096062419263)
Martin Dubravka has had several failed attempts to leave the club
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It has been a strange few years for Dubravka. The Slovakian left Newcastle for Manchester United on loan after being annoyed at dropping down to second-choice, even though he was third choice at Old Trafford. He cut that loan short to return to Newcastle in time for Pope to get himself sent off and banned for the Carabao Cup final, only to find himself cup-tied after representing Manchester United in that competition.
Last season, Dubravka was heavily linked with a move away from the club, but it didn't happen in the summer, so it seemed inevitable in January. But an injury to Nick Pope saw Dubravka reinstated to number one, and despite Pope returning to training in January, Eddie Howe convinced Dubravka to stay, before immediately dropping him in favour of Pope despite having done brilliantly in his absence.
Martin Dubravka didn't travel to Asia after picking up a slight knock, although we expect that injury was about as legitimate as Alexander Isak's, as Dubravka was to be used as a makeweight in the deal for James Trafford. However, with Trafford going to City, that never happened.
This should be a pretty quick turnaround
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Now, though, Sky Sports is reporting that Burnley remain keen on the 36-year-old, claiming that the clubs are in talks over a possible switch.
After so many failed moves, being begged to stay before being dropped, and generally being treated pretty poorly, it looks like the long-time servant may finally get his move away.
We can't imagine this will be a saga that drags on for very long; all the pieces appear to be in place, so it should be a pretty quick turnaround.