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)
Newcastle United are reportedly ready to lodge a new offer to sign 21-year-old Englishman James Trafford from relegated Premier League club Burnley.
According to an update by Alan Nixon on his Patreon channel, James Trafford remains the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies have rekindled their move for the Englishman and will soon submit a new bid to sign him from relegated Premier League club Burnley. Meanwhile, the Clarets want around £30 million to part ways with the highly-rated goalkeeper.
James Trafford and his topsy-turvy career so far
James Trafford was one of the most highly-rated young prospects in his homeland before Burnley signed him from Manchester City last summer. A winner of the UEFA European Under-21 Championships with England’s Under-21 side in 2023, the English goalkeeper made waves during his loan spells away from Manchester City.
However, the 21-year-old could not make his mark at Burnley, keeping only two clean sheets in 28 appearances for the Clarets while conceding 68 goals. Trafford lost his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper in the final weeks of the 2023/24 season. However, the youngster’s stock in the market remains high.
Widespread reports have linked the Englishman with several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool. However, James Trafford’s next destination will likely be Newcastle United if he leaves Burnley in the summer transfer window, with the Tyneside outfit keen on bringing him back to the Premier League.
Premier League return on the cards?
Newcastle United’s interest in James Trafford is understandable. The Magpies have already signed two goalkeepers in the summer transfer window, with Odysseas Vlachodimos arriving from Nottingham Forest and John Ruddy moving to Newcastle United from Birmingham City FC.
However, the Magpies view Trafford as the long-term successor to Nick Pope, with Eddie Howe keen on signing a goalkeeper who is adept with the ball at his feet. The trail had gone cold in recent weeks, but Newcastle United are ready to submit a new bid to sign the Englishman from Burnley. The Clarets want £30 million to part ways with the young goalkeeper.
Alan Nixon has suggested that the new offer from Newcastle United might come close to the £30 million that Burnley will demand to sell the 21-year-old Englishman. Meanwhile, personal terms should not be an issue, meaning an agreement on the transfer fee is all that remains for a summer move to materialise.
