The latest transfer talk from Newcastle United as the Magpies prepare for the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United are preparing for one of the biggest transfer windows in their recent history as they face up to a whole host of major decisions over key figures within Eddie Howe’s squad.
A number of Magpies players have been linked with moves away from Tyneside in recent weeks with the likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento said to be attracting attention from elsewhere. There have also been claims as many as seven or eight new signings could be made before the start of next season and a striker, midfielder and full-back are believed to be on the Magpies wish list.
However, there is also a need for a refresh of Howe’s goalkeeping options with Nick Pope’s future in doubt and Aaron Ramsdale’s loan deal will also expire at the end of the season. Backup options John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie are out of contract and Odysseas Vlachodimos is believed to be keen on a permanent move to La Liga club Sevilla after impressing during a loan stint in Spain. Newcastle have once again been linked with Manchester City keeper James Trafford as he continues to play second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma at the Etihad Stadium - and the former Burnley star has already hinted he is unsure over what lies ahead.
Speaking last month, the newly-capped England international said: “I’ve obviously got a contract. I don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve. He [Gianluigi Donnarumma] is a great fella, he is a lovely man. We both train as hard as we can and try to improve ourselves. Obviously he’s had a great career so far and he’s got great standards.”
The Magpies are believed to remain keen on a move for Trafford after failing to lure the talented stopper to Tyneside during the previous two summer transfer windows - and one outlet has claimed United are ‘keeping tabs’ on his situation at the Etihad Stadium and are now ‘frontrunners’ to land a deal.
Speaking on the Football Insider podcast, journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “I think obviously we know Newcastle are long-term admirers of James Trafford. They came very, very close to signing him last summer. It looked like he was going to make that move only for Man City to steal in and lure him back to the Etihad Stadium. Obviously Trafford is not too happy that he’s been displaced as number one at City, with Gianluigi Donnarumma coming in.
“Trafford will want to be playing regularly. He’s admitted that he has been shocked by what has happened to him. I’m sure Newcastle have continued to keep tabs on Trafford. They’ll be looking at him as a potential new signing. If Trafford wants to leave City in the summer in search of regular first-team football, there’ll be a number of Premier League clubs who’ll be interested in the England goalkeeper.”
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