Newcastle United may finally be able to land James Trafford this summer.
Indeed, Newcastle United have tried to sign Trafford twice before, but the goalkeeper rejected them in favour of joining Manchester City last summer.
That move hasn’t really worked out. Trafford has struggled for game time at City after they signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
An absolute legend is leaving the club 😔 – how do you look back on Trippier’s time here?
A graphic asking Newcastle United fans to rate Kieran Trippier's legacy at the club betwen A* and D.
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As such, the England international continues to be linked away. Trafford is surely far too good a goalkeeper to play largely second fiddle, after all.
Meanwhile on Tyneside, Newcastle’s goalkeeping situation remains a mess. Nick Pope has been dropped, while Aaron Ramsdale hasn’t done enough to convince he is worthy of a permanent transfer.
Thankfully, there could yet be some movement on Trafford.
Newcastle in the driving seat for James Trafford
According to The Sun, Tottenham are interested in a move for the 23-year-old in case current first-choice stopper Guglielmo Vicario moves to an Italian club this summer.
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That would obviously depend on whether Spurs stay up this season, with Roberto De Zerbi now through the door as the club’s third manager of the campaign.
I know it sounds like sour grapes, but I’d take the money and run 😡
Let me know what you think 👇
A graphic asking fans to 'prove me wrong' on the statement reading: "I don't care if Newcastle United sell Sandro Tonali."
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Interestingly, however, the report adds that sources indicate that Newcastle are in fact in the driving seat for Trafford if he were to become available for a transfer.
It would hardly be a surprise to see Newcastle move for a new goalkeeper this summer, given the aforementioned doubts over Pope and Ramsdale.
Pep Guardiola’s stance on James Trafford amid Newcastle interest
Back in November, Pep Guardiola revealed he was impressed with what an “incredible” goalkeeper Trafford is.
Having two such high-profile goalkeepers rarely works, however.
Ramsdale is a fine example of that. When Arsenal signed David Raya in 2023, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta talked of how he could feasibly swap between the two throughout the season.
James Trafford playing for Manchester City against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Still, it was Raya who established himself as the No.1, leaving Ramsdale out in the cold.
There’s also the very real prospect that Guardiola leaves City soon to consider, too.
Logic would suggest that Newcastle should give up the ghost on Trafford, having been burned twice before.
However, if he does become available, then it would not be much of a surprise to see Newcastle try their luck again.
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