A general view of Newcastle United supporters waiting outside the stadium for news of the latest developments in the sale of the club to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund for 300 million-pound ($408 million) takeover in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England Thursday Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Magpies approached Burnley over a deal for Trafford last month and had agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old while the two clubs discussed a transfer fee.
The Clarets reportedly rejected a £16million bid, setting his asking price north of £20m. United haven’t pressed forward with a move after their sole focus turned to addressing their Premier League Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) concerns.
As part of Elliot Anderson’s £35m sale to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle agreed to sign Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimo for an undisclosed fee while veteran John Ruddy has also joined the club after leaving Birmingham City.
It leaves United with five senior goalkeepers heading into the new season as things stand, although there could be some movement.
Nick Pope is set to remain as No.1, despite concerns over the shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for five months last term. And with Mark Gillespie – who recently signed a one-year contract extension – very much fourth choice, all fingers point to Martin Dubravka leaving.
The 35-year-old played the majority of the 2023-24 season in Pope’s absence but doubt has surrounded his future since the turn of the year when his agent admitted he could head elsewhere.
Dubravka has made 163 appearances for Newcastle since joining six-and-a-half-years ago and when asked about his future after Slovakia’s Euro 2024 exit to England, he told Mail Sport: “ have no idea. I have seen they are talking with other goalkeepers. I need to speak with the manager first.
“What is the plan for me? What is my future? I don’t know if they want me to stay or not. It is difficult for me, because I have been focussed on my job with the national team.”
Dubravka’s representatives held talks with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic before Euro 2024 got underway. The former Sparta Prague man also has interest from clubs in the Middle East.
