Newcastle United are progressing with their plans to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford after finalizing their latest signing.
The Magpies are poised to bring in Lloyd Kelly on a five-year deal, with an additional year option, on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth. The 25-year-old will undergo his medical in the south on Wednesday before officially joining Newcastle. Kelly will be Newcastle’s second summer signing after Lewis Hall, who converted his loan from Chelsea into a permanent transfer for an initial £28 million after meeting performance-related criteria.
Now, Eddie Howe’s team is aiming to secure a deal for Trafford. The 21-year-old is eager to move to the North East and is reported to have agreed to personal terms. However, Newcastle has yet to agree on a transfer fee with Burnley.
Burnley is seeking over £20 million for Trafford, who became the third most expensive English goalkeeper when he joined from Manchester City for £19 million with add-ons. Negotiations are ongoing, with Man City entitled to a fifth of the profit, but there is optimism that an agreement will be reached.
Newcastle is in the market for a goalkeeper to compete with Nick Pope for the No.1 spot. Loris Karius will leave when his contract expires on June 30, and Martin Dubravka’s future is uncertain. Dubravka played most of last season after Pope suffered a dislocated shoulder, and there is interest from Celtic and Middle Eastern clubs as Dubravka enters the final year of his contract.
Newcastle has been linked to Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, but Trafford is Howe’s primary target. Despite a mixed response from fans due to Trafford’s recent form, he was considered one of the most promising young prospects last year.
Trafford played a crucial role in England under-21s’ European Championship victory last summer, not conceding a goal throughout the tournament and saving a penalty in the final against Spain. Cole Palmer, Trafford’s former teammate at Manchester City’s academy, believes Trafford is destined to be world-class.
Considering his age and the challenges of playing in a relegated team, Trafford shouldn’t be written off too soon.
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